Systems and methods for a housing equipment for a security vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system for providing security functions to a vehicle may comprise a chassis and a drone. The chassis may be configured to be mounted on top of the vehicle. The chassis may include a drone port for housing a drone. The drone may include a camera. The camera of the drone may be configured to capture images of objects outside of the chassis while the drone is positioned in the drone port. A device including the chassis may be a light bar and further include lights positioned at a periphery of the device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to vehicles used in securityenforcement.

BACKGROUND

Security vehicles, and in particular, police vehicles are outfitted witha lot of equipment. The equipment is added to stock vehicles. Outfittinga vehicle takes time and effort. Equipment must be installed under thehood, in the truck, and in the cabin. The inner lining of the ceiling,floor coverings, and dash board, among other things, must be removed toinstall equipment and wiring. When equipment fails, depending on theequipment and its location in the vehicle, the vehicle must be at leastpartially disassembled to test, repair, and/or replace the equipmentand/or wiring. Maintenance of even minor systems may take major effortdepending on the location of the equipment in the vehicle. Securitydepartments would benefit from a system that provided all of thefunctions of a security vehicle and that did not have to be installed onthe interior of the vehicle. Security departments would further benefitfrom a system that could be maintained without disassembling thevehicle.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a chassis for a security vehicle may compriseone or more lights, one or more radios, one or more antennas, whereinthe chassis is mounted on top of the vehicle. The chassis may alsocomprise one or more bays for receiving a piece of equipment, wiringbetween the bays for at least one of power and data, and an exteriorhousing. The chassis may also comprise a drone port. The chassis mayalso comprise a window that permits passage of light from an exterior ofthe chassis to an interior of the chassis. The window may be positionedadjacent the drone port to enable a camera of a drone in the drone portto capture images of objects outside of the chassis. The chassis mayalso comprise a camera positioned proximate to the window to captureimages of objects and events around the chassis. The drone port may bepositioned asymmetrically within the chassis. The chassis may include astorage system configured to receive and store the captured images ofobjects from the camera of the drone.

In various embodiments, a system for providing security functions to avehicle may comprises a chassis and a drone. The chassis may beconfigured to be mounted on top of the vehicle and include a drone portfor housing the drone. The drone may include a camera. While the droneis positioned in the drone port, the camera of the drone may beconfigured to capture images of objects outside of the chassis. Thedrone port may include a window through which the camera of the drone isconfigured to capture the images of objects outside of the chassis. Thedrone port may be positioned at an end of the chassis. The end may beconfigured to be mounted on a passenger side of the vehicle. The dronemay be configured to receive flight data comprising indicia of an objectin the captured images to be tracked while the drone is positioned inthe drone port. The flight data may include indicia of one or more of arelative position and a motion response for the drone. The relativeposition may include at least one of an azimuth value, an altitudevalue, a relative distance value, and geofencing data. The motionresponse for the drone may include indicia of a position adjustment forthe drone to automatically make upon detecting movement of the trackedobject. The position adjustment may correspond to one of maintaining aposition, following the tracked object, and returning to the drone port.The drone may be configured to launch from the chassis and automaticallytrack the object based on the received flight data. Automaticallytracking the object based on the received flight data may includeautomatically positioning the drone at a position indicated in theflight data. The drone may be configured to store image data in a memoryof the drone, the image data including the images captured while thedrone is positioned in the drone port. The camera of the drone may beconfigured to capture image data after the drone launches from thechassis and to store the image data in memory with image data includingthe images captured while the drone is positioned in the drone port. Thecamera of the drone may be configured to capture image data continuouslybefore and after launch of the drone. The system may comprise a mobiledata terminal in communication with the drone, the mobile data terminaldisposed within the vehicle and configured to transmit flight data tothe drone while the drone is positioned in the drone port. The mobiledata terminal may be in communication with the drone via the chassis.Capturing the images may comprise processing image data comprising thecaptured images to detect the object in the image data, generatingindicia of the detected object in the image data, and outputting theindicia of the detected object from the drone. The drone may beconfigured to detect movement of the object to be tracked and adjust aposition of the drone when the movement of the object is detected. Thechassis may comprise a communication circuit configured to communicatewith a remote computing device and the drone may be configured toreceive flight data from the remote computing device via thecommunication circuit while the drone is positioned in the drone port.The drone may be configured to automatically read license plates in thecaptured images of objects outside of the chassis. The chassis mayinclude a storage system and the drone may be configured to transmitimage data comprising the captured images to the storage system. Thechassis may include a computing device configured to detect an object inthe captured images and the drone may be configured to receive flightdata comprising indicia of the detected object from the computing devicewhile the drone is positioned in the drone port. The chassis maycomprise a water removal device positioned adjacent the window toselectively remove water from the window. The water removal device maycomprise at least one wiper. The water removal device may comprise avent configured to direct air from inside the drone port across anexternal surface of the window. The chassis may comprise a second droneport and the system further includes a second drone including a camera,wherein while the second drone is positioned in the second drone port,the camera of the second drone may be configured to capture images ofsecond objects outside of the chassis. The drone may be configured tocapture images in a first direction from the chassis while positioned inthe drone port and the second drone may be configured to capture imagesin a second direction from the chassis while positioned in the droneport, the first direction different from the second direction. The firstdirection may be opposite the second direction.

In embodiments, a method performed by a drone to provide securityfunctions for a vehicle comprises capturing image data with a camera ofthe drone while the drone is positioned in a drone port of a chassisconfigured to be mounted on the vehicle, receiving flight datacomprising indicia of an object in the captured image data to betracked, launching from the chassis, and tracking the object based onthe received flight data. The image data may be captured through awindow of the drone port prior to launch. Capturing image data maycomprise processing the captured image data to detect the object in theimage data, generating indicia of the detected object in the image data,and outputting the indicia of the detected object from the drone. Theindicia of the detected object may be output to a display positionedwithin the vehicle. The flight data may be received from a userinterface device positioned within the vehicle after the indicia of thedetected object is output to the user interface device. The indicia ofthe detected object may be output to a remote computing device. Theflight data may be received by the drone prior to launching from thechassis. The flight data may be received from a remote computing devicein communication with the drone via a radio communication circuitpositioned in the chassis. The flight data may be received from a mobiledata terminal disposed within the vehicle. The flight data may includeat least one of a relative position and a motion response for the drone.The relative position may include at least one of an azimuth value, analtitude value, a relative distance value, and geofencing data. Themotion response for the drone may include indicia of a positionadjustment for the drone to automatically make upon detecting movementof the tracked object. The position adjustment may correspond to one ofmaintaining a position, following the tracked object, and returning tothe drone port. Tracking the object may include automaticallypositioning the drone at a position relative to the tracked object basedon the flight data. Tracking the object may include following thetracked object. Tracking the object may include maintaining a positionof the drone. Tracking the object includes returning to the drone port.Tracking the object include detecting movement of the tracked object andadjusting a position of the drone when the movement of the trackedobject is detected. Tracking the object may comprise capturing imagedata with the camera after launch and storing the image data capturedafter launch continuously with the image data captured while the dronewas positioned in the drone port. Launching the drone may includeselecting a payload among a plurality of payloads prior to launch. Theplurality of payloads may include two or more of a second camera, aninfrared camera, radio communication equipment, a spotlight, and rescueequipment. The method may comprise applying a fixed mode prior tolaunching from the chassis. The method may comprise applying an aerialmode and launching from the chassis in accordance with the aerial mode.

The forgoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated hereinotherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle that shows equipment and wiring on theinterior of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of a light bar that has achassis for receiving equipment according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is diagram of a system comprising a device with a chassisaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a drone according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a system according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a chassis according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a method performed by a drone to providesecurity functions for a vehicle according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Many security vehicles and most police vehicles have a light bar. Alight bar may be integrated with a chassis (e.g., frame, box) thatreceives and supports most, if not all, of the equipment that ispresently installed in the interior of a vehicle. Equipment installed inthe chassis would not need to be installed in the interior of thevehicle. Equipment installed in the chassis would be readily accessiblefor providing maintenance without disassembling the interior of thevehicle. The doors and lids on a chassis may be opened to provide accessto the equipment installed in the chassis.

Embodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosureinvolve a security vehicle 105 with a lightbar 110 as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 1 also shows wiring 115 between various equipment. Such wiring 115requires extensive effort to install, maintain, and replace withinvehicle 105. Embodiments according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure eliminate the need for most—if not all—of such wiring. Wiringmay be eliminated by moving equipment into a light bar itself.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of a light bar that has achassis for receiving equipment according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure. Device 200 is a light bar. Device 200 includes achassis 210, a drone port 220, lights 240, one or more radios 250,satellite equipment 260, and integrated cameras 270. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, drone 230 is also positioned within drone port 220.Drone 230 further includes a camera 232. By including these componentsin the chassis 210, wiring does not need to be installed for thesecomponents at other possible locations of installation within a vehicle.

A chassis may include: lights, a drone port (e.g., garage, container,storage area), one or more radios, one or more radios antenna, one ormore cameras, a storage system, a siren, a rumbler, satellite equipment,a communications controller, one or more computers, temperature control,radar/lidar, and/or a license plate detector, a power supply, and/orpower conditioning. For example, chassis 210 includes lights 240, droneport 230, radios 250, satellite equipment 260, and cameras 270. Chassis210 also includes an external housing to protect one or more of thesecomponents.

A chassis may fit on the top of a vehicle. A chassis may couple to thetop of a vehicle. A chassis may include one or more bays for positioningequipment. A chassis may include one or more busses (e.g., power, data,address) for providing power to and communication between bays. Bays maybe of one or more standardized sizes. Bays may include couplers.Couplers may include couplers of standardized sizes and/or connections.Bays may include mounts. Mounts may be of standardized sizes and methodsfor mounting.

A chassis may be mounted on a vehicle in various manners. Inembodiments, a chassis may be bolted onto a vehicle. A chassis may beconfigured to be securely fastened to a vehicle via bolts, screws, orother rigid fasteners. A chassis may be configured to be mountedpermanently to a vehicle. A chassis may be configured to mounted to avehicle and retained on a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. Achassis may be retained on a vehicle as a vehicle travels at high speeds(e.g., greater than 100 miles per hour). A chassis may be configured tobe mounted in a non-removable manner on a vehicle.

A chassis may include one or more covers, lids, doors, and or windows.Covers may be removed for installation and/or maintenance. Lids may belifted to remove equipment (e.g., drone) and closed to stow equipment.Windows may permit the passage of light from an exterior of the chassisto an interior of the chassis. Cameras may be positioned proximate towindows to capture images of objects and events around the chassis.

For example, chassis 210 may include an access physically coupled todrone port 220. The access may be motorized. The motorized access maycomprise one or more panels, lids, or doors, each connected to one ormore motors or other actuators that may control a position of theaccess. The motorized access may open and close in response to signals.The signals may selectively activate the motorized access. The accessmay open upon receipt of a first signal. When an access is open, drone230 may enter and exit port 220. The access may receive a second signalto close. When the access is closed, drone 230 may be protected fromwind, rain, snow, and other environmental conditions which may beencountered by chassis 210 or to which chassis 201 may be exposed. Amotorized access, such as a motorized lid, motorized door, motorizedpanel, or other access may enable a drone to launch from chassis 210automatically and without manual intervention to prepare the chassis210, drone, 230, or drone port 220 for launch. For example, a drone,user interface device, or other device may transmit a signal to themotorized access when a drone is configured (e.g., is instructed, hasreceived a signal, has activated fans, is being operated in an aerialmode, etc.) to launch. A motorized lid, door, or other access may enablea drone to land in the drone port 220 in chassis 210 automatically andwithout manual intervention to prepare the chassis 210 or drone port 220to receive the drone 230. One or more signals to control the motorizedlid, door, or access may be received from a user interface devicedisposed inside a vehicle. The user interface device may be in wirelesscommunication with the chassis 210 to provide the one or more signals.

Chassis 210 includes at least one window. The window may be disposedadjacent drone port 210. The window may form one wall of drone port 220.The window may comprise at least one clear or at least partiallytransparent material. For example, a window may comprise a clear,plastic material. In embodiments, a window may alternately oradditionally comprise a clear or at least partially clear glassmaterial. The window may be configured to permit signals to passtherethrough. The signals may pass from an exterior of the chassis to aninterior of the chassis via the window. For example, light from externalenvironment may pass through the window and be received by camera 232 ofdrone 230. The window may provide a physical barrier but not an opticalbarrier from an external environment for the drone port 220. One or moreother portions of chassis 210 may include one or more windows as well.Alternately, in other embodiments, other portions of chassis 210 may beenclosed by solid, opaque portions of an external housing. Inembodiments, an external housing of chassis 210 may include window andnon-window portions.

The chassis may be positioned on any part of a vehicle. In animplementation, the chassis is mounted to the roof of a vehicle. Thechassis occupies all or a portion of where a light bar would have beenmounted. A chassis may mount to a vehicle roof in any way. For example,chassis 210 may be bolted onto a roof of a vehicle. Chassis 210 may alsobe mounted such that drone port 220 is disposed on a first end of thechassis 210 proximate a passenger side of a vehicle. In otherembodiments, chassis 210 may be mounted to a vehicle such that a secondend of the chassis 210 with a drone port 220 may be proximate a driverside of a vehicle.

Lights may be positioned on any part of the chassis. Lights may bepositioned on an exterior of the chassis. The lights on the chassis mayinclude lights typical of security vehicles. Electronics for controllingthe lights may be positioned inside the chassis. The wiring for thelights may be positioned in the chassis.

Light bar 200 includes lights 240. Lights 240 may be signal lights,operable to indicate a predetermined warning or other signal in an areawhen activated. Lights 240 include a first set of lights 240-1 and asecond set of lights 240-2. Lights 240-1 may be a different color thanlights 240-2. Lights 240-1 may be controlled separately from lights240-2, including to be turned on at different and/or alternating times.Lights 240 may wrap around an external housing of chassis 210. Inembodiments, lights 240 may be provided at and/or around a periphery ofchassis except for one or more locations at which a window is includedin the chassis. Lights 240 may be provided around, but not over awindow, to prevent the lights 240 from obscuring a view of a cameracapturing image data from inside the chassis via the window. Forexample, a window of drone port 220 may be surrounded, but not coveredby lights 240-2 to enable a camera of the drone to capture images ofobjects outside of the chassis 210. Lights 240 may be selectively placedadjacent, but not over, other parts of chassis 210, including locationsat which cameras 270 are disposed.

In embodiments, a device 200 configured to be mounted in a vehicle maynot include external lights. For example, a device 200 may includechassis 210 and other components shown in FIG. 2, such as drone port220, but not lights such as lights 240. In such embodiments, an exteriorsurface of device 200 may include an external housing of chassis 210.Device 200 may alternately or additionally include one or more windowsas part of an external surface of the device 200. In alternateembodiments, signal lights may be provided in a different device,separate from device 200. Device 200 may also be mounted on differentlocations on a vehicle. For example, device 200 may be mounted on atrunk of a vehicle, proximate a rear of a vehicle, or proximate a frontof a vehicle. Each such position may be different from a position atwhich a light bar may be installed or mounted.

A drone port includes an enclosure for housing a drone. A drone portincludes a door or an access for removing and/or inserting the drone. Anofficer may remove and/or insert the drone into the drone port. A droneport may include power to recharge the batteries of the drone whilepositioned in the port. A drone port may include a data connector topermit access to data stored on a server. A drone port protects thedrone from adverse elements. A drone port may be opened to receive adrone and to extract the drone. A drone port may be closed to protectthe drone. While a drone is positioned in the drone port, a camera ofthe drone may capture images of objects outside of the chassis.

For example, drone port 220 includes an enclosure for housing drone 230.Drone port 220 includes a door. The door may be selectively positioned(e.g., opened, closed, rotated, slid) to enable physical removal and/orinsertion of drone 230. An officer may remove and/or insert drone 230into the drone port 220. In other embodiments, the door or other mannerof access to drone port 230 may be motorized, enabling a drone 230 toenter and exit drone port 220 under its own power and without manualinput from a user. The door may be selectively positioned (e.g., opened,closed, rotated, slid) to enable physically removing and/or insertingdrone 230 into drone port 220. Drone port 220 includes power to rechargethe batteries of the drone while positioned in the port. In embodiments,the power may be transferred to the drone 230 wirelessly by the droneport 220 via wireless power transmission. Drone port 220 includes a dataconnector to permit access to data stored on a server. The dataconnector may include one or more of a wired or wireless communicationcircuit in the drone port 220 configured to transmit and receive datafrom drone 230 while drone 230 is positioned within the drone port 220.For example, the data connector may be configured for communication withdrone 230 in accordance with a wired protocol, a near-fieldcommunication protocol, and/or short-range protocol. In embodiments, adata connector in the drone port may communicate with drone 230 inaccordance with one of a WIFI protocol and a universal serial bus (USB)protocol. The data connector may be integrated within the drone port,configured to communicate directly with drone 230 while drone 230 iswithin the drone port 220. The data connector may be configured tocommunicate with the drone 230 at distances of less than one inch, lessthan three inches, or less than six inches. The data connector may beseparate from other communication equipment in the chassis 210, such asradios 250. In embodiments, the data connector does not include along-range communication circuit. For example, the data connector maynot include (e.g., exclude, not be, etc.) a circuit that operates inaccordance with a cellular network protocol. Drone port 220 protectsdrone 230 from adverse elements. Drone port 220 may be opened to receivedrone 230 and closed to protect the drone 230.

While drone 230 is positioned in the drone port 220, a camera of thedrone may capture images of objects outside of the chassis 210. Droneport 220 includes window. The window forms a side of the enclosure ofdrone port 220. The window is disposed on an elongated side of chassis210. The elongated side may be disposed facing a front or rear of avehicle, rather than a passenger or driver side of a vehicle. Drone 230may be positioned within drone port 220 such that camera 232 of drone230 may be oriented toward the window of the drone port 220. The camera232 may capture images through the window of the drone port 220. Theimages may be captured as image data by the camera 232 of the drone 230.

In embodiments, a drone port may be positioned at a first end of achassis. The drone port may be asymmetrically positioned within thechassis. The drone port may not be positioned in a center of thechassis. The drone port may not be positioned away from a center of thechassis. The drone port may be positioned on a side of a chassisconfigured to be mounted on a passenger side of the vehicle. Based onsuch positioning, a drone may respond to events that occur on anopposite side of a vehicle from a driver of the vehicle. For example, adrone may be able to follow another vehicle or another target objectattempting to flee the driver of the vehicle away from the driver sideof the vehicle. A camera of the drone may be positioned to track (e.g.,capture image data representing, adjust orientation upon detectedmovement of, etc.) a passenger of another vehicle from an end of thechassis. A camera of the drone may be positioned to track a person inanother vehicle from an end of the chassis. A camera of the drone may bepositioned at an end of a device to capture images of an object as itexists another vehicle. An object may include an object thrown from awindow of the other vehicle. A camera of the drone may be positioned atan end of the device to read license plates of other vehicles beingpassed by the vehicle on which the chassis mounted. The other vehiclesmay include parked vehicles located proximate the end of a chassis inwhich a drone port is disposed, further away from a center of thechassis. An asymmetrically positioned drone port may enable a camera ofa drone to capture a different angle of view of an event, aside from onethat may be directly observed by an officer in a driver's seat of avehicle and/or recorded by a body-worn camera of a driver of thevehicle.

Drone port 220 is positioned on a side of device 200. Drone port 220 ispositioned at a first end of chassis 210, away from a center of thechassis 210. Drone port 220 is asymmetrically positioned within chassis210. Upon mounting of chassis 210 to a vehicle, drone port 220 may bepositioned on a side of a chassis proximate a passenger side of thevehicle. Drone port 220 enables camera 232 of drone 230 to captureimages of objects on a first side of a vehicle and chassis 210. Suchobjects may include one or more of a passenger of another vehicle, aperson in another vehicle, a license plate of another vehicle, a door ofanother vehicle, and an object exiting a side of another vehicle.

Radios includes any device that communicates (e.g., transmit, receive)electronically. A radio includes any radio used to communicate using anycommunication protocol.

Device 200 includes at least one radio 250. The at least one radio 250may be capable of short-range communication with other component of thedevice 200 or a system that includes device 200. The at least one radio250 may also be capable of long-range communication with a remotecomputing device. For example, at least one radio 250 may be capable oflong-range communication with a remote computing device of a dispatcher.Information may be communicated from the remote computing device to thedrone port 220 and drone 230 via the at least one radio 250.Communication using at least one radio 250 may include any conventionaltechnologies (e.g., cellular phone service, text and data messaging,email, voice over IP, push-to-talk, video over cellular, video over IP,and/or the like). Communication may use conventional public or privatemedia (e.g., public cellular phone service, local area service, reservedchannels, private trunk service, emergency services radio bands, and/orthe like).

Antennas may be mounted on an exterior the chassis. An antenna may bemounted on an extendable boom (e.g., mast). A boom may extend from thechassis. A boom may position the antenna. A boom may position an antennato better provide line of sight transmission and/or reception. A boommay automatically deploy or at the initiation of a user. An antenna maybe physically positioned proximate to a radio. An antenna may bepositioned proximate to the radio that receives signals from the antennato reduce attenuation of the signal between the antenna and the radio.For example, an antenna for 5G may be positioned close to the radio for5G to minimize signal loss between the antenna and the radio. Radio 250may include at least one antenna.

Satellite equipment includes any equipment for communicating with asatellite. A satellite may be positioned in any orbit. A satellite maybe used for transmitting and/or receiving data of any type. Satelliteequipment may include, as discussed above, radios and/or antenna.Satellite equipment may provide wide-area (e.g., state-wide,region-wide) communication capabilities. For example, a satellite systemcould communicate using the Iridium satellite network. Satelliteequipment may cooperate with and/or communicate via the First Navemergency communication network. Device 200 includes satellite equipment260.

Cameras (e.g., capture devices, captures systems, recording devices,recording systems) may be positioned on an exterior of the chassis orinside the chassis with access to light from an exterior of the chassisto capture images. A camera may be positioned in the chassis and a lensof the camera positioned in the cabin of the vehicle. Data from the lensmay be carried to the camera via a wired or wireless connection. Camerasmay be positioned for capturing images exterior to the chassis towardany direction with respect to the chassis and/or the vehicle. Camerasmay store captured data locally. Cameras may provide captured data to astorage unit (e.g., digital video recorder). Cameras may providecaptured data to a server (e.g., computer, edge computer).

Device 200 includes cameras 270. Cameras 270 include cameras 270-1,270-2, 270-3, and 270-4. Cameras 270 may be fixed to chassis 210.Cameras 270 may be oriented in different directions. Each camera 270 maycapture separate image data. Each camera 270 may capture image dataseparate from image data captured by camera 232 on drone 230. Cameras270 may be configured to capture one or more of a front passenger sideof a vehicle to which chassis 210 is mounted, a rear passenger side of avehicle to which chassis 210 is mounted, a front driver side of avehicle to which chassis 210 is mounted, and a rear driver side of avehicle to which chassis 210 is mounted.

Embodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosureinclude a system for providing security functions to a vehicle. FIG. 3is diagram of a system comprising a device with a chassis according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. System 300 includes a device305 configured to be mounted on a vehicle, a drone 330, a user interface390 configured to be mounted inside a vehicle, and a remote computingdevice 392.

Device 305 is configured to be mounted to a vehicle, such as vehicle105. Device 305 may be mounted to a roof of a passenger compartment of avehicle. Device 305 may have an elongated shape as shown in FIG. 3.Device 305 may include a chassis 310, drone port 320, radios 350,satellite communication equipment 360, cameras 370, and othercomponents.

Chassis 310 may include a structural framework to which other componentsare attached. Chassis 310 may include one or more bays, each bayconfigured to receive a piece of equipment. Chassis 310 may also includean exterior housing. The exterior housing may protect bays, equipment,and other devices from external environmental conditions. Chassis 310includes busses 386 (e.g., power, data, address) for providing power toand communication between bays. Busses 386 in chassis 310 may alsointerconnect other components shown in FIG. 3, aside from those disposedin bays. Busses 386 in chassis 310 may interconnect other components ofdevice 305 independent of whether the other components are disposed in abay of chassis 310. By placing such components in a chassis configuredto be mounted externally to a vehicle, security functions of suchcomponents may be provided to the vehicle, but a need for installing thecomponents and any related wiring within the vehicle may be avoided.

In embodiments, device 305 may be light bar. Device may include lights312 on one or more sides of chassis 310. Lights 312 may be positioned atand/or around a periphery of chassis 310. Lights 312 may be positionedaround portions of device 305, such as a window 322, or order to notobstruct an angle of view of other components such as camera 332.Portions of lights 312 may be different colors and selectively activatedin one or more different manners in order. For example, a first portionof lights 312 may be turned on and off during a time period while asecond portion of lights 314 may be turned off and on during the sametime period. Different colors and manners of activation of lights mayprovide one or more visual indicators in an area in which device 305 isdisposed. The visual indicators may correspond to a warning orinstruction and may further identify the vehicle on which device 305 ismounted as a security vehicle. In other embodiments of device 305,lights 312 may not be included.

Device 305 includes a drone port 320. Drone port 320 includes anenclosure in which a drone 330 may be positioned. Drone port 320includes an access through which drone 330 may be launched from chassis310 and received into chassis 310 after flight. The access may include alid, door, or panel. Drone port 320 may be sized and shaped to fullyenclose drone 330. Drone port 320 may also provide drone 330 withsufficient clearance to autonomously enter and exit without contactingchassis 310 or another component of device 305.

Drone port 320 includes a window 322. Window enables camera 332 tocapture images while positioned in drone port 320. Window 322 provides aphysical barrier to protect drone 330 from wind and other externalconditions, while still enabling light to be received by a lens ofcamera 332 in order to capture images of objects external to device 305.

Because window 322 is disposed in contact with an environment externalto device 305, window 332 may be covered or partially covered bymaterials from the external environment. Such coverage may negativelyimpact or otherwise preclude images from being captured of objectsexternal to device 305. Drone port 320 may include one or more devicesto address such materials and prevent them from covering or partiallycovering window 322. Such devices may be employed to ensure that camera332 may continue to capture images of objects or events external todevice 305, even in adverse conditions.

In embodiments, drone port 320 may include a water removal device 324.Water removal device 324 may be positioned adjacent window 322. Waterremoval device 324 may be integrated with chassis 310. Water removaldevice 324 may be configured to apply a force to an external surface ofwindow 322. The force may clean the window 322. For example, waterremoval device 324 may remove rain, snow, mist, fog and other liquidsfrom an external surface of the window 322 adjacent the device 324. Inembodiments, a force applied by water removal device 324 may also beenough to remove other material from window. For example, water removal324 device may apply a force sufficient to remove dirt, dust, or otherparticulates from window 322. Water removal device 324 may ensure thatwindow 322 is clear so that camera 332 may reliably capture images andimage data of objects outside device 305, even in rainy, dusty, orotherwise adverse environmental conditions.

In embodiments, water removal device 324 may include one or moremechanical wipers. Each wiper may apply a physical contact force acrossan external surface of the window 332 to remove rain, dust, and othermaterial from the surface of the window 322. Each wiper may pivot acrossthe external surface of the window. Each wiper may include an arm,rotatably mounted to chassis 310 or drone port 320 at a first end and ablade at a second end. The arm may be rotated by a motor of the device324 about a pivot point at the first end, causing the blade at thesecond end to travel across the surface of the window 322, therebypushing, wiping, or otherwise clearing material from the window 322.

In embodiments, water removal device 324 may include a vent. The ventmay be in physical communication with an enclosure of drone port 320.The vent may be configured to direct air from the enclosure across asurface of the window. Air from the vent may provide a force sufficientto remove material from the surface. In embodiments, air may be providedthrough the vent by activating one or more fans of the drone. Theactivated fan may draw air from a second vent and push the air throughthe vent of device 324 adjacent the window. The drone port 320 mayinclude one or more guides to direct the air from fans of a dronethrough the vent and/or along an external surface of the window. Theguides may include one or more physical surfaces to receive and directair from a first location toward a second location, such as from a fanof a drone toward a vent or from a vent and along an external surface ofthe window. The vent may be narrow, preventing rain and other externalmaterials from entering the drone port. A guide may also be positionedadjacent the vent to both guide air from the vent along the surface andprevent material from a direction perpendicular to the surface fromentering the vent. In embodiments, a vent or a combination of a vent anda guide may comprise one or more angled or rounded surfaces to protectthe vent from receiving external materials and/or guide air along theexternal surface of the window.

In other embodiments, water removal device 324 may include a fan, bloweror other source of air to provide a force across an external surface ofthe window. The fan, blower, or other source of air may be providedinternally or externally to drone port 320. The fan, blower, or othersource of air may or may not include one or more vents configured todirect the air across the surface. The source of air may provide airdirectly across the surface. The fan, blower, or other source of air mayor may not include one or more guides configured to direct the airacross the surface.

In embodiments, water removal device 324 may include alternate oradditional components, including one or more guides to direct air acrossa window and/or provide a recessed area in which the window is disposedand protected by the one or more guides. These embodiments may or maynot include an active source of air, such as a blower or fan.

Drone port 320 may also include one or more payloads 326. Drone 320 mayselectively attach at least one of the payloads 326 prior to launch andwhile drone 320 is still positioned in drone port 320. A plurality ofthe payloads may include two or more of a camera, an infrared camera,radio communication equipment, a spotlight, and rescue equipment. Rescueequipment may include one or more of a portable communication device, aflashlight, rope, a mask, a flare, and/or other equipment configured toprovide aid during an event. The payloads 326 may be provided on arotatable surface. For example, the payloads 326 may be attached to aturntable, cylinder, conveyor belt, or other rotatable device in droneport 320 which may be adjusted (e.g., rotated, moved, reconfigured) toposition a payload among the plurality of payloads adjacent a droneprior to launch. A drone may attach to a payload upon positioning of thepayload in a predetermined position. For example, a drone may include amechanical and/or magnetic mount, configured to attach to a payload uponpositioning of the payload to a given location proximate the mount.Adjustment of positions of the plurality of payloads 326 may beselectively controlled by one or more of the drone port 320 and drone330. For example, drone 330 may receive flight data and select a payloadamong the plurality of payloads 326 prior to launch. The flight data mayinclude indicia of a single payload to select prior to launch. Theflight data may include indicia of a payload to select among theplurality of payloads 326 prior to launch. For example, the flight datamay indicate a selection of an infrared camera. In other embodiments,drone 330 may detect an environmental condition and select a payloadbased on the detected environmental condition. For example, drone 330may be configured to detect a lack of ambient light in an environmentand select a payload comprising a spotlight prior to launch. In anotherexample, a drone 330 may detect a low signal strength of a communicationnetwork in an area and select additional radio communication equipment.Other types of payloads and manners of selecting a payload may beemployed in embodiments according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure as well. In embodiments, a drone may selectively attach ornot attach to a single payload prior to launch, including in accordancewith received flight data.

System 300 may include a drone 330. Drone 330 may be configured toperform one or more tasks autonomously. Drone 330 may perform tasksautonomously in response to detected conditions. For example, drone 330may include one or more sensors, including camera 332, and perform tasksin response to output data detected or generated by the sensors. Drone330 may also be configured to perform tasks autonomously in response toinformation received from chassis 310. For example, flight data may bereceived by the drone 330 via the chassis 310. In response to the flightdata, the drone may be configured to launch automatically from droneport 320. Drone 330 may also position itself at a location in responseto received flight data. Drone 330 may also orient camera 332 in adirection based on received flight data. Drone 330 may further track anobject in response to flight data, wherein tracking the object mayinclude optical tracking and/or positional tracking of the object.Optical tracking may include adjusting an orientation of camera 332 tomaintain an object with an angle of view of the camera 332. Positionaltracking may include adjusting a physical position of the drone 330.Positional tracking may include controlling fans of the drone 330 tocause the drone 330 to maintain a predetermined distance between thetarget and the drone 330. Such tasks may include launching of the drone330 from the drone port 320. Such tasks may be performed automaticallyupon receipt of the flight data by the drone. Such tasks may beperformed independent of further external inputs transmitted to thedrone. Such tasks may be performed independent of further additionalinputs to the drone from a user interface device, a computing device ina chassis, or a remote computing device. After launch, such tasks may beperformed based on data received by sensors of the drone, including animage sensor of camera 332. After launch, such tasks may be performedbased on data processed and/or generated by the drone, including imagedata from a camera of the drone that may be further processed by aprocessing circuit of the drone.

Other sensors (e.g., IR, vibration, heat, moisture) may be positioned onan exterior of the chassis and/or in the chassis. Sensors may detectphysical properties. Sensors may provide data relative to detectingphysical properties. For example, chassis 310 includes one or more heat,vibration, temperature, and moisture sensors 384.

A storage system (e.g., digital video recorder, memory, database) may bepositioned in the chassis. A storage system may receive data from anydevice for storage. A storage system may receive captured images and/oraudio from cameras. A storage system may receive detected data from anysensor. A storage system may store data provide by an officer, a bodycamera, a CEW, a remote server, and/or dispatch. A storage system mayreceive and provide data to a server. A storage system may include anytype of memory and store data in any format (e.g., database).

Device 305 includes storage system 342. Storage system 342 is includedin chassis 310. Storage system 342 includes at least one of a digitalvideo recorder, memory, and a database 344 positioned in chassis 310.Storage system 342 receives or transmits data to various components indevice 305. Transmission of data to or from storage system 342 may beperformed via one or more wired or wireless communication channels. Thewired channels may include channels provided by bus 386.

For example, storage system 342 may receive image data from drone 330.Image data from drone 330 may include images captured by camera 332 andtransmitted to storage system 342. The images may be captured as imagedata. Image data received by storage system may include images ofobjects captured by camera 332. The image data may include event data.Event data may be received and stored from drone 330 for one or moreevents. The image data from drone 330 may be transferred while the droneis positioned in drone port 320. For example, drone 330 may offloadimage data of an event upon returning to drone port 320 after recordingthe image data during the event. Drone 330 may offload image data andother data recorded during a flight of the drone via a wired or wirelesschannel provided to storage system 342 via bus 386 or a short-rangecommunication circuit 350-3. The offloaded data may include datarecorded during a flight of a drone and data recorded before launch ofthe drone to begin the flight. Data may also be received from drone 330while the drone 330 external to drone port 320, such as via ashort-range radio communication circuit 350-3 or a long-range radiocommunication circuit 350-2.

In embodiments, storage system 342 may also receive captured image data,audio data, and/or other input data from cameras 370, one or moresensors 386, and a user interface device 390. Storage system 342 mayalso receive and transmit data to a remote computing device 392. Remotecomputing device 392 may be in communication with storage system 342 viaa long-range radio communication circuit 350-2. Remote computing device392 may include a server to which data from storage system 342 isrequest or received upon request to the server. In embodiments, datafrom a drone 330 may be stored in a database 344. The data may includeimage data from the drone. In embodiments, the data may include eventdata from the drone. Upon request, data from the database 344 may betransmitted to one or more of remote computing device 392 and userinterface device 390.

Satellite equipment includes any equipment for communicating with asatellite. A satellite may be positioned in any orbit. A satellite maybe used for transmitting and/or receiving data of any type. Satelliteequipment may include, as discussed above, radios and/or antenna.Satellite equipment may provide wide-area (e.g., state-wide,region-wide) communication capabilities. For example, a satellite systemcould communicate using the Iridium satellite network. Satelliteequipment may cooperate with and/or communicate via the First Navemergency communication network.

Device 305 includes satellite equipment 360. Satellite equipment 360 maybe included in one or more bays of chassis 310. In embodiments,satellite equipment includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.The GPS receiver may detect a position of the device 305. The GPSreceiver may be separate from a GPS receiver disposed in drone 330.

A communications controller includes any devices for controlling and/orcoordinating the communication equipment of the chassis. Acommunications controller may monitor available signals via all antennasof the chassis. A communications controller may select one or moremethods (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, WiFi, satellite) for communication. Acommunications controller may communicate using one or more methods atthe same time or in serial. A communications controller may select amethod in accordance with the priority of the data, the amount of thedata, and the cost of communication. Device 305 includes communicationscontroller 354. Communications controller 354 may be included in one ormore bays of chassis 310. In embodiments, communications controller 354may control and/or coordinate transfer of signals, data, information,indicia, and combinations thereof among radios 350, antennas 352,satellite equipment 360, and other components of device 305.

A computer includes any type of computing device and/or processingcircuit. A computer includes any device that executes one or more storedprograms, stores information and/or retrieves stored information,performs a calculation, and/or alters data. A computer may be referredto as and perform the functions of a server, an edge device, an edgeprocessor, and/or a mobile data terminal. A computer may include amicroprocessor, memory, busses, IO ports, and any other component. Acomputer may perform calculations and/or communicate data for thebenefit of any other component of the chassis. A computer may presentinformation to a user via a display. A computer may cooperate withand/or perform some or all of the functions of a communicationscontroller. A computer may receive data from a human user. A computermay communicate with a user interface (e.g., display, keyboard)positioned in a cabin of the vehicle. A computer may communicate with auser interface via a wired and/or a wireless connection. A computer maycontrol and/or coordinate the operation of other equipment in thechassis. A computer may receive information via any radio. A computermay provide data to any radio for transmission. A computer may beimplemented using a standardized form factor (e.g., rack mount).

Device 305 includes computing device 340. Computing device 340 may bedisposed in a bay of chassis 310. Computing device 340 includes at leastone processing circuit. Computing device 340 may be configured toexecute one or more stored programs. Computing device 340 may beconfigured to execute computer readable instructions that, in responseto execution by the processing circuit, cause the computer 340 and/ordevice 305 to perform one or more functions discussed herein. Inembodiments, computer readable programs or instructions may be stored instorage system 342. Computer 340 may also be configured to storeinformation and/or retrieve stored information, perform a calculation,and/or alter data. Information and data associated with such processing,including the outputs of such processing, may be stored on storagesystem 342. Computing device 340 may be referred to as and perform thefunctions of a server, an edge device, an edge processor, and/or amobile data terminal.

In embodiments, computing device 340 may perform calculations and/orcommunicate data for other components of chassis 310. For example,computer 340 may receive indicia of one or more objects in image datacaptured by drone 330. For example, the indicia may include indicia ofobjects corresponding to a vehicle and a person in the captured imagedata. The indicia of the objects may include indicia of objects detectedin the image data by the drone.

In other embodiments, a computing device may receive image data capturedby a camera, detect one or more objects in the captured image data andgenerate indicia of the one or more objects detected in the module. Forexample, a processing circuit may execute an object detector module oncaptured image data from the camera of the drone to generate indicia ofthe one or more objects. An object detector module may be stored in astorage system in a chassis with the computing device. Upon execution ofinstructions of the objection detection module, a processing circuit mayreceive image data and generate indicia of one or more objects detectedin the image data. An object tracking module may be stored in a storagesystem. For example, the indicia may include indicia corresponding toone or more of a vehicle and a person in the captured image data.

Indicia of a detected object may be provided to another device from thedevice configured to be mounted on a vehicle. Indicia of a detectedobject may include one or more values, identifiers, indicators, or otherdata associated with an object represented in captured image data. Inembodiments, indicia of a detected object from a drone may be providedto a user interface in a vehicle via a chassis. For example, indicia maybe provided by the computing device 340 to a user interface 390. Theindicia may be provided for a display of the user interface device 390.The user interface device 390 may be positioned in a cabin of a vehicle.The indicia may be provided via a short-range radio communicationcircuit 350-3. In embodiments, indicia of one or more detected objectsmay also be provided to remote computing device 392.

After providing the indicia to a user interface device, a computingdevice may receive indicia of one or more of objects. The indicia of oneor more of objects may include indicia of one or more of the detectedobjects. The indicia of one or more of objects may include indicia ofone or more objects to be tracked. One or more of the objects to betracked may correspond to one or more of the detected objects. Forexample, computing device 340 may receive indicia corresponding toselection of the one or more objects via the interface device 390. Theindicia may correspond to a user input provided by one or more of akeyboard or display of the interface device 390. For example, theindicia may correspond to a vehicle in the captured image. The indiciamay be received via a short-range radio communication circuit 350-3.

A computing device may provide indicia of one or more objects to betracked to a drone. For example, computing device 340 may provideindicia associated with the selection to the drone 330. The indicia maybe included in flight data provided to the drone 330 prior to launch ofdrone 330 from drone port 320. In embodiments, computing device 340 mayprovide other indicia in flight data, including indicia for one or moreof target object data, a relative position, and a motion response forthe drone 330.

In another example, a computing device may provide indicia of one ormore objects in image data captured by a drone to a remote computingdevice. The indicia may include indicia of one or more detected objects.The indicia of one or more objects may be generated by a drone orgenerated by the computing device based on captured image data from thedrone. For example, indicia may be provided for a display of the remotecomputing device 392. The remote computing device 392 may be provided ata location (e.g., building, office, etc.) of an agency associated withvehicle on which device 305 is mounted. The indicia may be provided viaa long-range radio communication circuit 350-2.

After providing the indicia to a remote computing device, a computingdevice may receive indicia of one or more of the objects. The indicia ofone or more of objects may include indicia of one or more of thedetected objects. The indicia of one or more of objects may includeindicia of one or more objects to be tracked. One or more of the objectsto be tracked may correspond to one or more of the detected objects. Forexample, received indicia may correspond to a selection of the one ormore objects via the remote computing device 392. The indicia maycorrespond to a user input provided by one or more of a keyboard ordisplay of the remote computing device 392. For example, the indicia maycorrespond to a vehicle in the captured image. The indicia may bereceived via a long-range radio communication circuit 350-2.

Computing device 340 may provide the indicia associated with theselection from the remote computing device to the drone 330. The indiciamay be included in flight data provided to the drone 330 prior to launchof drone 330 from drone port 320. In embodiments, computing device 340may provide other indicia in flight data, including indicia for one ormore of target object data, a relative position, and a motion responsefor the drone 330. In embodiments, flight data provided to a drone mayinclude a combination of indicia received from both a user interfacedevice 390 and a remote computing device 392.

In embodiments, other indicia included in flight data may be receivedfrom another computing device as well. For example, a relative positionand a motion response for the drone may also be received from a remotecomputing device or a user interface device. The other indicia may alsobe generated, provided, and received based on an input received at aremote computing device or a user interface device.

In embodiments, information (e.g., data, indicia, flight data, etc.) maybe transmitted and received between the remote computing device 392,user interface device 390, and drone 330, independent of a computingdevice 340 in chassis 310. Information generated by one or more ofdevices 390,392 may be received from a radio 350 by drone 330,independent of whether the information is further processed or otherwisereceived by computing device 340. The drone 330 may receive informationvia chassis 310 independent of whether the information is received bycomputing device 340. In embodiments, the drone 330 includes aprocessing circuit and communication circuit by which information may betransmitted and received from other components or devices in system 300,including devices 390,392 and components of device 305.

Temperature control includes any device suitable for controllingtemperature and/or humidity. Temperature control may be suited tocontrolling the temperature of the atmosphere in an enclosed area, suchas inside the chassis. Temperature control may increase, decrease,and/or maintain the temperature and/or humidity of the atmosphere in thechassis. Temperature control may be accomplished by moving (e.g., fans),heating, and/or cooling air. Temperature control may be accomplished byaltering the moisture (e.g., humidity in the air). In embodiments,sensors 384 may include sensors for both detecting temperature ormoisture and one or more control devices (e.g., fans, dehumidifiers,etc.) for adjusting a temperature or moisture of the chassis 310. Suchcomponents of sensors 384 may be controlled and/or coordinated at leastin part by computing device 340.

Radar/lidar includes any type of radar and/or lidar equipment fordetecting the presence and/or speed of objects outside of the chassis.Radar/lidar includes any type of emitter that emits radar, laser light,and/or infrared light. Radar/lidar includes any type of detector thatdetects reflected radar, laser, and/or infrared light. Radar/lidarincludes any type of control circuitry and/or human interface fordirecting light toward a specific object (e.g., vehicle). Controlcircuitry may automatically identify and report the speed of objectssuch as vehicles. Control circuitry may present the detected speeds ofthe targeted vehicles. Device 305 includes radar/lidar unit 380.Radar/lidar unit 380 may be included in chassis 310. Radar/lidar unit380 may identify a speed of an object external to device 305. Theidentified speed may be provided to another device, including remotecomputing device 392 or user interface device 390. The identified speedmay also be provided to storage system 342 for storage.

A license plate detector includes any device suited to detecting theinformation on a license plate. A license plate detector may cooperatewith any camera, storage, lidar device, and/or computer to detect alicense plate and to determine the information on the license plate.Device 305 includes license plate reader 382. License plate reader 382may be included in chassis 310. License plate reader 382 may detectimage data comprising a license plate, recognize one or more charactersin the image data for the license plate, and provide indicia of therecognized characters in output data from the license plate reader 382to one or more other components of device 305. In other embodiments,license plate reader 382 may detect image data comprising a licenseplate and provide corresponding image data to computing device 340 forsubsequent processing. Computing device 340 may then perform opticalcharacter recognition on the data detected by license plate reader 382and generate indicia of one or more characters recognized in thedetected license plate data. Indicia of recognized characters from alicense plate may be provided to other components of device 305,including drone 330 and/or storage system 340.

A power supply includes any source of power. A source of power mayinclude batteries. Batteries may be positioned in the chassis. Batteriesmay provide some or all of the power used by the equipment in and/or onthe chassis. Power from the vehicle may be used to recharge thebatteries in the chassis and/or to provide power to some or all of theequipment in the chassis.

Power conditioning includes any circuitry suitable for altering theelectrical characteristics of electrical power to meet the conditionsneeded by the equipment that uses the power. Power conditioning maychange any characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, slew rate, ripple,spikes) of electrical power. Power conditioning may receive electricalpower from any source (e.g., battery, line, alternator). Powerconditioning may provide power having any electrical characteristics.Power conditioning may provide AC current and/or DC current at anyvoltage suitable for the equipment in the chassis. Device 305 includes apower supply and power conditioning circuitry 346. Circuitry 346 may bedisposed in one or more bays of chassis 310. Circuitry 346 may beconnected to one or more components of device 305, including via busses386.

Radios may include one or more communication circuits. The one or morecommunication circuits may include one or more radio communicationcircuits. For example, Radios 350 include a first radio communicationcircuit 350-1, a second radio communication circuit 350-2, and a thirdradio communication circuit 350-3. Each radio communication circuit maycommunicate via one or more antennas. For example, one or more radiocommunication circuits of radios 350 may communication via one or moreantennas 352.

In embodiments, a first radio communication circuit 350-1 may include ashort-range radio communication circuit. A short-range radiocommunication circuit may transmit and receive data over short ranges(e.g., less than one hundred feet, less than thirty feet, less than tenfeet, less than one foot, etc.). In embodiments, first radiocommunication circuit 350-1 may operate in accordance with a BLUETOOTHprotocol. One or more components of system 300 may be in communicationwith device 305 via the first radio communication circuit 350-1. Forexample, one or more of user interface device 390 and drone 330 may bein communication with device 305 via first radio communication circuit350-1.

In embodiments, a second radio communication circuit 350-2 may include along-range radio communication circuit. The long-range radiocommunication circuit may transmit and receive data over long ranges(e.g., greater than one hundred feet, greater than one thousand feet,greater than one mile, greater than ten miles, etc.). In embodiments,second radio communication circuit 350-2 may operate in accordance witha cellular protocol (e.g., LTE). In embodiments, second radiocommunication circuit 350-2 may communicate with a cellular network. Oneor more components of system 300 may be in communication with device 305via the second radio communication circuit 350-2, including a remotecomputing device 392.

In embodiments, a third radio communication circuit 350-3 may include ashort-range radio communication circuit. The short-range radiocommunication circuit may be different from the first short-rangecommunication circuit 350-1. In embodiments, third radio communicationcircuit 350-3 may operate in accordance with a WIFI protocol. Inembodiments, third radio communication circuit 350-3 may form a wirelesslocal area network. One or more components of system 300 may be incommunication with device 305 via the third radio communication circuit350-3, including one or more of a user interface device 390 and drone330. Certain devices in system 300 may be in communication with device305 via multiple radios 350. For example, a user interface device 390may be in communication with device 305 via both first radiocommunication circuit 350-1 and third radio communication circuit 350-3.

In other embodiments, radio 350 may include one or more additional radiocommunication circuits, one or more fewer radio communication circuits,different combinations of long-range and short-range radio communicationcircuits, and/or different communication circuits that operate accordingto one or more different, additional, or alternate protocols. In otherembodiments, one or more of communication circuits 350 may operate in anon-radio wireless medium, such as light, sound, or vibration.

In embodiments, device 305 may alternately or additionally include oneor more communication circuits configured to communicate via a wired(e.g., electrical or optical) medium. Each such communication circuitmay communicate using one or more wired (e.g., USB, RS-232, Firewire,Ethernet) communication protocols. Such an alternate communicationcircuit may also be in communication with one or more devices in thesystem via a wired communication protocol and/or wired medium. Forexample, a wired communication circuit may be in communication with auser interface device 305 via a USB protocol and/or a USB cable, insteadof or in addition to a WIFI communication protocol. In embodiments, awired communication circuit of device 305 may be included with and/or incommunication with a data connector in drone port 320.

A device configured to be mounted on a vehicle may further include oneor more integrated cameras. The integrated cameras may be attached to aninternal or external portion of a chassis of the device. The integratedcameras may capture image data from a fixed angle of view on a vehicle.

Device 305 also includes cameras 370. Cameras 370 include a first camera370-1, second camera 370-2, third camera 370-3, and fourth camera 370-4.Cameras 370 may be fixed to chassis 310. Cameras 370 may be oriented indifferent directions and may capture separate image data. For example,first camera 370-1 may capture image data in a direction of a frontdriver side of a vehicle to which chassis 310 is mounted, second camera370-2 may capture image data in a direction of a front passenger side ofthe vehicle, third camera 370-3 may capture image data in a direction ofa rear driver side of the vehicle, and fourth camera 370-4 may captureimage data in a direction of a rear passenger side of the vehicle. Suchcameras 370 may have a fixed orientation.

In other embodiments, device 305 may not include cameras 370. Instead,camera 332 may capture image data of events and objects in front ofvehicle while positioned in drone port 320 and after drone 330 haslaunched from drone port 320. Such an arrangement may increase a utilityof camera 332 as well as drone 330. Such embodiments may decrease thecomplexity and redundancy of providing similar, additional wiring andcomponents inside chassis 310.

A system for providing security functions for a vehicle may furtherinclude devices in communication with device 305. Such devices mayinclude one or more drones, one or more user interface devices, and oneor more remote computing devices. For example, system 300 includes adrone 300, a user interface device 390, and remote computing device 392.

User interface device 390 may be positioned inside a cabin of a vehicleto which device 305 may be mounted. User interface device 390 mayinclude a display. The display may be touchscreen device. User interfacedevice 390 may also include one or more of a keyboard, mouse, or otheruser input device configured to receive input signals. The input signalsmay be received from a user. A user may include a driver of a vehicle towhich device 305 is mounted. In embodiments, the user may be a lawenforcement officer. In embodiments, user interface device 390 mayinclude a mobile data terminal integrated with a vehicle on which device305 is mounted.

In embodiments, a mobile data terminal is a special purpose computingdevice installed in a law enforcement vehicle. A mobile data terminalmay be configured to display information and receive information relatedto a task to be performed using the vehicle. A mobile data terminal maybe permanently or semi-permanently mounted to the vehicle. Inembodiments, a mobile data terminal is different from a portablecommunication device. For example, a mobile data terminal may rely onadditional components, such as one or more radios 350 or other elementsof device 305 to communicate with a device remote from a vehicle inwhich the mobile data terminal is installed. A mobile data terminal mayinclude a short-range radio communication circuit in order tocommunicate with device 305, but may not have a long-range communicationcircuit.

User interface device 390 may present information to a user. Theinformation may include image data captured by a camera of device. Thecamera may include one or more of camera 332 and cameras 370. Theinformation may include indicia of one or more objects detected in imagedata captured by a camera. For example, a display of user interfacedevice 390 may illustrate a bounding box around an object detected inimage data captured by camera 332. The bounding box data may begenerated based on processing of the image data by one or more of drone330 and computing device 340. The processing may include objectdetection and provide indicia of detected objects as output. Formultiple objects detected, a bounding box may be generated for each of aplurality of objects detected in image data. For example, user interfacedevice 390 may present indicia associated with each of a vehicle and aperson detected in image data captured by drone 330. Other visualindications, aside from a bounding box may be employed to indicate adetected object and/or convey indicia of a detected object. Otherindications may include one or more change to a color of a detectedobject at a user interface device or a color of areas of displayed imagedata that does not correspond to a detected object. The indicia, imagedata, and other data presented via a user interface device may bereceived via a short-range radio communication circuit. User interfacedevice 390 may include a short-range radio communication circuit forcommunication with device 305.

User interface device 390 may also receive input from a user. The inputmay correspond to a selection by a user. For example, a user may selectan object displayed on a display. A user may also enter one or morenumbers, indicators, or other values via a user interface. A userinterface device may provide indicia of received input. The indicia maybe generated by the user interface device based in the received input.The indicia may include one or more of an object to be tracked, arelative distance, and a motion response. The indicia may be included inflight data. In embodiments, the user interface device may provideflight data that includes indicia associated with an input received atthe user interface device. The indicia and/or flight data may beprovided after output (e.g., display, audible output, etc.) of indiciaof one or more detected objects by the user interface device 390.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, flight data isused or may be used to control a drone automatically after launch. Theflight data may be used to automatically control a drone after launchfrom a drone port. The flight data may be used to automatically controla drone after the drone exits a chassis. A processing circuit of a dronemay receive flight data and control components of the drone inaccordance with the flight data. For example, a processing circuit mayuse flight data to control one or more fans to control a physicalposition of the drone. A processing circuit may control an orientationof a camera of the drone based on flight data. For example, a processingcircuit may control a gimbal mount in accordance with flight data.Flight data may include various indicia which may be applied by thedrone to automatically control (e.g., position, orient, steer, fly,travel) the drone. In embodiments, the flight data includes indicia.Indicia may include one or more values, identifiers, indicators, orother data usable by a receiving device to perform an associatedsubsequent task.

In embodiments, flight data may include one or more of indicia of anobject, a relative position for a drone, and a motion response for adrone. The object may be an object to be tracked. The indicia of anobject may include one or more of an object for optical tracking and anobject for positional tracking. In embodiments, an object for opticaltracking may be a same object as an object for positional tracking. Theindicia for an object may indicate whether an associated object is anobject for positional tracking or an object for optical tracking. Acamera of a drone may orient a camera of the drone toward an object foroptical tracking in accordance with indicia for the object. A camera ofa drone position itself relative to an object for positional tracking.

For example, a display of user interface device 390 may present indiciaof a vehicle and a person. User interface device 390 may then receiveinput corresponding to a user selection of the vehicle as an object forpositional tracking and the person as an object for optical tracking.User interface device 390 may transmit indicia corresponding to eachobject to device 305. User interface device 390 may include ashort-range radio communication circuit to transmit the indicia todevice 305. The transmitted indicia may be included in flight datatransmitted to device 305. User interface device 390 may provide flightdata comprising indicia of the selected object for optical tracking andthe selected object for positional tracking to device 305, which mayfurther provide this flight data to drone 330. Such flight data may beprovided to drone 330 prior to drone 330 exiting drone port 320. Uponexiting the drone port 320, drone 330 may control orientation of camera332 based in the indicia of the object for optical tracking. Uponexiting the drone port 320, drone 330 may control fans and otherflight-related components of the drone 330 to position itself inaccordance with the object for positional tracking. Indicia for each ofone or more objects associated with inputs received from a userinterface device 390. Indicia for each of one or more objects associatedwith inputs at user interface device 390 may be received via short-rangeradio communication circuit 350-3 at device 305.

User interface device 390 may also receive inputs corresponding torelative position for a drone and a motion response for a drone. Userinterface device 390 may generate indicia or flight data comprisingindicia of a relative position for a drone and/or a motion response fora drone A relative position may include one or more of an azimuth value,an altitude value, a relative distance value from the object, andgeofencing data.

An azimuth may include an angle relative to an object for positionaltracking to which a drone should position itself in-flight upon exitinga drone port. For example, an azimuth value may include a value of threehundred sixty degrees indicating that a drone should position itselfnorth of an object for positional tracking. Alternately, an azimuthvalue may include a value of one hundred eighty degrees indicating thata drone should position itself south of an object for positionaltracking, a value of ninety degrees indicating that a drone shouldposition itself east of an object for positional tracking, or a value oftwo hundred seventy degrees indicating that a drone should positionitself west of an object for positional tracking. An azimuth value maybe between one and three-hundred sixty degrees as well, corresponding toother directions around an object for positional tracking. Othercoordinate systems and/or relative positional values may be employed inembodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosure aswell. An input corresponding to an azimuth value may be received via auser interface device 390 and indicia corresponding to this value may beprovided as flight data to a drone, thereby enabling a drone toautomatically position itself at a corresponding angle upon exiting adrone port.

An altitude may include a height relative to an object for positionaltracking to which a drone should position itself in-flight upon exitinga drone port. For example, an altitude value may include a value of tenfeet, twenty feet, thirty feet, or forty feet or more above an objectfor positional tracking. In embodiments, other altitude values may beprovided as well, including more or less granular values received via adevice such as user interface device 390. For example, an altitude valuemay include one or more of a low altitude value, a medium altitudevalue, and a high altitude value. In embodiments, an altitude value mayalso include a height above ground to which a drone will therebyposition itself in addition to and/or a height above an object forpositional tracking. In embodiments, an altitude value may also includea height above sea level to which a drone will thereby position itselfupon launch. Other measures of height or distance above an object orsurface may be employed in embodiments according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure as well.

A relative distance may include a distance away from an object forpositional tracking to which a drone is to be positioned. For example, arelative distance value may include a value of zero feet, five feet, tenfeet, twenty feet, thirty feet, forty feet, fifty feet, or sixty feet ormore away from an object for positional tracking. In embodiments, otherrelative distance values may be provided as well, including moregranular values or less granular values received via a device such asuser interface device 390. For example, a relative distance value mayinclude one or more of a near distance value, a medium distance value,and a far distance value. A drone may receive indicia of a relativedistance in flight data and determined a specific relative distance atwhich to position itself in accordance with the indicia as well as otherobjects or factors in the environment to which it subsequently travels.

In embodiments, a relative distance may correspond to a lateraldistance. In embodiments, a relative distance may correspond to adistance in a plane corresponding a plane of the ground. A relativedistance may be separate from an altitude and each may havecorresponding or associated indicia in flight data. In such embodiments,a relative distance may correspond to a radius around a vehicle along aground plane in which the object is located. In such embodiments, arelative distance of zero feet may be associated with a drone beingpositioned directly above a tracked object.

In other embodiments, a relative distance may correspond a directdistance between a tracked object and a drone. In such embodiments, adrone may automatically determine an altitude. For example, a drone maytravel to a position at which a lateral distance to the object andvertical distance between ground and the drone are equal and a distancebetween the drone and tracked object equals the relative distance.Alternately, a default altitude may be employed. For example, a defaultaltitude of ten feet, fifteen feet, twenty feet, or greater than twentyfeet may be employed and a position of the drone may be based on therelative distance and the default altitude. In other embodiments, arelative distance may correspond to a direct distance and an anglebetween the object and position of the drone and ground may bedetermined in accordance with indicia of an altitude that may beincluded in flight data.

A relative position may also include geofence data. Geofence data mayinclude indicia of one or more limits for positioning a drone. A limitmay include a distance from a drone port for a drone. Geofence data mayinclude one or more distances in one or more directions relative to aposition of a drone port of a drone beyond which the drone is preventedfrom automatically positioning itself. For example, a processing circuitmay compare a limit in geofence data with a distance between a currentposition of the drone and a position of a drone port from which thedrone was launched. A limit may be compared during an adjustment inposition of the drone. If a distance between a drone port and a currentposition exceeds a limit in geofence data, a processing circuit of thedrone may control one or more fans of the drone to prevent furthermotion of the drone in the direction. Geofence data may establish avirtual barrier around a chassis from which a drone is prevented fromexiting. The geofence data, along with the application of such geofencedata, may prevent a drone from traveling out of a line of sight of avehicle and/or chassis, out of a range of communication of a chassis,and/or to a distance at which a drone may have insufficient batter powerto return to a chassis.

A motion response may comprise indicia regarding an adjustment to bemade by a drone in response to detected movement of a tracked object. Anadjustment may comprise an adjustment to a position of a drone. A dronemay process image data to detect movement of an object being tracked. Inembodiments, the object being tracked may correspond to an object forpositional tracking. In response to detected movement, the motionresponse may be applied. A drone may apply a motion response byselectively controlling one or more fans of the drone in accordance withthe motion response, thereby adjusting a position of the drone. A motionresponse may be applied independent of control of a camera of the drone.For example, a camera of a drone may continue to be oriented toward anobject for optical tracking, even though a position of an object forpositional tracking may change. In embodiments, a position of an objectfor optical tracking may change, but a position of a drone may notchange when a position of an object for positional tracking does notchange. As noted above, an object for optical tracking and an object forpositional tracking may be a same object in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In embodiments according to variousaspects of the present disclosures, a motion response may include ahold, follow, or return motion response.

A motion response may include indicia in flight data of a hold motionresponse. If movement of a tracked object is detected, a drone mayprocess flight data including the indicia of the hold motion response.In accordance with the hold motion response, a drone may maintain itscurrent position. For example, a processing circuit in the drone maycontrol fans of the drone to maintain a current position. A currentposition may include a position of the drone upon detecting the movementof the object being tracked. A current position may include an altitudeof the drone. A current position may include a position of the dronerelative to a drone port from which the drone was previously launched. Acurrent position may include a position associated with an output of aGPS receiver upon detection of the movement of the target. A drone maymaintain (e.g., not change) a lateral position in accordance with a holdmotion response. A drone may maintain a longitudinal position inaccordance with a hold motion response. A drone may maintain an altitudein accordance with a hold motion response. In embodiments, anorientation of a camera of a drone may continue to track an object upondetection of movement, though a position of a drone itself may notchange. In accordance with a hold motion response, a drone may no longerbe controlled according to a relative position in flight data. Inembodiments, a drone may hold its position in accordance with a holdmotion response until a second input is received. A second input maycomprise a signal from an external device. The external device mayinclude one of a user interface device and a device configured to bemounted on a vehicle.

A motion response may include indicia in flight data of a follow motionresponse. If movement of a tracked object is detected, a drone mayprocess flight data including the indicia of the follow motion response.In accordance with the follow motion response, a drone may adjust itsposition based on a change in a position of an object being tracked. Aposition of the drone may be adjusted upon detecting the change in theposition of the object being tracked in accordance with a follow motionresponse. For example, a detected movement may include movement of atracked object in a first direction. In response and in accordance witha follow motion response, a processing circuit in the drone may controlfans of the drone to cause the drone to travel in a second direction,the second direction determined in accordance with the first direction.A second direction may be a same direction as the first direction. Thesecond direction may be parallel to the first direction. A seconddirection may maintain a relative position of a drone with respect to anobject being tracked, even though the object has moved or continues tomove. In other embodiments, a processing circuit in the drone maycontrol fans of the drone to cause the drone to travel in a seconddirection selected to intersect with the first direction. Adjusting aposition of the drone in a second direction may include maintaining analtitude of the drone. Adjusting a position of the drone in a seconddirection may include changing one or more of a lateral or longitudinalposition of the drone. Adjusting a position of the drone in accordancewith a follow motion response may include adjusting a position of thedrone in one or more second directions, each direction associated with afirst direction of a movement of the object being tracked. Inembodiments, a drone may maintain a relative distance to an object beingtracked. In embodiments, an orientation of a camera of a drone maycontinue to track an object upon detection of movement, concurrent withadjustment of a position of the drone in accordance with a follow motionresponse. A follow motion response may include maintaining a dronewithin a certain radius of a moving object being tracked. Inembodiments, the radius may correspond to a relative distance in flightdata. In embodiments, a drone may adjust its position (i.e., follow) inaccordance with a changing position of an object being tracked until asecond input is received. A second input may comprise a signal from anexternal device. The external device may include one of a user interfacedevice and a device configured to be mounted on a vehicle.

A motion response may include indicia in flight data of a return motionresponse. If movement of a tracked object is detected, a drone mayprocess flight data including the indicia of the return motion response.In accordance with the return motion response, a drone may adjust itsposition to return to a drone port. A return motion response may includea drone automatically positioning itself in a drone port from which itwas previously launched. A position of a drone may be adjusted in areturn motion response in order to store, place, and/or land a drone ina chassis of a vehicle from which was previously launched. Inembodiments, an orientation of a camera of a drone may continue to trackan object upon detection of movement, though a position of a drone maychange to return to a drone port. A camera of the drone may continue tocapture image data in a direction of an object for optical tracking,even though the drone may be moving in a direction away from thisobject. A camera of a drone may continue to capture image data during areturn motion response. A camera of a drone may capture image datacontinuously during a return of the drone to a drone port and after thedrone has landed back in the drone port. Such image capture may form acontinuous image data (e.g., video data) that includes image datacaptured while the drone is returning to the drone port and while thedrone has landed back in the drone port. A return motion response mayinclude capturing image data with a camera of the drone through a windowof a drone port while the drone is landing in the drone port. A returnmotion response may include positioning a drone such that a camera ofthe drone captures image data through a window of the drone port duringand after landing of the drone in the drone port. In embodiments, adrone may continue a return motion response until it has landed in adrone port. In embodiments, a return motion response may includecontinuing to capture image data with a camera of the drone through awindow of a drone port after the drone has landed in the drone port. Insuch embodiments, a drone may continue to capture image data inaccordance with a return motion response until a second input isreceived. The second input may be received from an external device. Theexternal device may include one of a user interface device and a deviceconfigured to be mounted on a vehicle.

In embodiments, certain flight data may be determined automatically by adrone. For example, flight data may include indicia of an object foroptical tracking. A drone may apply predetermined indicia for otherflight data in order to automatically position itself with respect tothe object upon being tracked. The predetermined indicia may include oneor more default values. For example, a processing circuit may determinean object for optical tracking is also an object for positional trackingby default, absent contrary or other indicia being received in flightdata prior to launch of the drone. A processing circuit may also applyone or more default values for a relative position and/or a motionresponse by default, absent related indicia being provided in receivedflight data.

In embodiments, a drone may automatically determine default flight databased on an environmental condition detected by the drone itself. Forexample, a processing circuit may process image data to detect whetherrain is falling in an environment external to a chassis. If rain isfalling, a default altitude of a drone may be automatically set lowerand/or a relative distance may be automatically set to a lower valuethan if rain is not determined to be falling. Lower values in suchembodiments may enable a drone to obtain image data from a positioncloser to an object being tracked during adverse environmentalconditions. Other manners of automatically determining flight data mayalso be employed in embodiments according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

In embodiments, a system for providing security functions for a vehiclemay include a remote computing device. For example, system 300 includesa remote computing device 392. Remote computing device 392 may bepositioned at a remote location from a location of a vehicle on whichdevice 305 may be mounted. Remote computing device 392 may include adisplay. The display may be touchscreen device. Remote computing device392 may also include one or more of a keyboard, mouse, or other userinput device to receive input signals from a user. In embodiments, aremote computing device includes a computing device of an agencyassociated with a vehicle on which a device 305 may be mounted. Theremote computing device 392 may be a computer-aided dispatch computingdevice. The computer-aided dispatch computing device may be configuredto display information related to a request for emergency servicesreceived by the agency. A request may include a phone call. The requestmay be received and conducted separately (e.g., from a different source,in a different communication channel, at a different time, etc.) fromcommunication between a device 305 and the remote computing device 392.The computer-aided dispatch computing device may display informationrelated to the request. For example, the computing device may display alocation associated with the request. The computer-aided dispatchcomputing device may also receive input related to the request. Forexample, the computing device may receive input by way of a keyboard,mouse or other user interface component of the remote computing device.The input may correspond to resources being assigned to a request, suchas an identifier of a vehicle on which device 305 may be mounted. A userof a remote computing device may be a dispatcher. In embodiments, theuser may be a law enforcement officer.

Remote computing device 392 may also present information from device 305to a user. The information may include image data captured by a cameraof device. The camera may include one or more of camera 332 and cameras370. The information may include indicia of one or more objects detectedin image data captured by a camera. For example, a display of remotecomputing device 392 may present image data from a camera at a vehiclealong with indicia of a detected object in image data captured by camera332. The indicia may be generated based on processing of image data byone or more of drone 330 and computing device 340. The processing mayinclude object detection and provide indicia of detected objects asoutput. For multiple objects detected, indicia may be generated for eachof a plurality of objects detected in image data. For example, remotecomputing device 392 may present indicia associated with each of avehicle and a person detected in image data captured by a camera 332 ofdrone 330. The indicia, image data, and other data from a vehiclepresented via remote computing device 392 may be received via along-range radio communication circuit. Remote computing device 392 mayinclude a long-range radio communication circuit for communication withdevice 305.

Remote computing device 392 may also receive inputs from a user. Theinputs may correspond to a selection by a user. For example, a user mayselect an object displayed on a display. A user may also enter one ormore numbers, indicators, or other values via a user interface. A userinterface device may provide indicia of received input. The indicia maybe generated by the remote computing device based in the received input.The indicia may be included in flight data. In embodiments, the remotecomputing device may provide flight data that includes indiciaassociated with an input received at the remote computing device. Theindicia and/or flight data may be provided after output (e.g., display,audible output, etc.) of indicia of one or more detected objects by theremote computing device 392. For example, a display of remote computingdevice 392 may present indicia of a vehicle and a person detected inimage data captured by a camera of device 305. Remote computing device392 may then receive input corresponding to a user selection of at leastone of a vehicle as an object for positional tracking and a person as anobject for optical tracking. In other embodiments, an inputcorresponding to a selection of a same object as both an object foroptical tracking and an object for positional tracking may be received.Remote computing device 392 may transmit indicia corresponding to one ormore such objects to device 305. The transmitted indicia may be includedin flight data transmitted to device 305. Remote computing device 392may provide flight data comprising indicia of the selected object foroptical tracking and the selected object for positional tracking todevice 305, which may further provide this flight data to drone 330.Such flight data may be provided to drone 330 prior to drone 330 exitingdrone port 320. Upon exiting the drone port 320, drone 330 may controlorientation of camera 332 based in indicia of the object for opticaltracking in the flight data. Upon exiting the drone port 320, drone 330may control fans and other flight-related components of the drone 330 toposition itself in accordance with indicia of an object for positionaltracking in the flight data. Indicia for each of one or more objectsassociated with inputs received from a remote computing device 392 maybe transmitted via a long-range radio communication circuit of theremote computing device 392. Indicia for each of one or more objectsassociated with inputs may be received via long-range radiocommunication circuit 350-2 at device 305.

Remote computing device 392 may also receive inputs corresponding to arelative position for a drone and a motion response for a drone. Theinputs may also correspond to user selections associated with a relativeposition and/or motion response for a drone. Remote computing device 392may generate indicia of a relative position and/or a motion response fora drone. Remote computing device may transmit indicia or flight datacomprising indicia of a relative position for a drone and/or a motionresponse for a drone in response to the received inputs.

Although a chassis may eliminate the installation and maintenance of allwires and/or cabling inside a vehicle, some wires and/or cables may beuseful. For example, wiring may be installed inside the vehicle to carryelectrical power from the battery/alternator of the vehicle up to thechassis. The wiring passes through the outside of the vehicle (e.g., viaa hole) into the chassis. The need to run wiring for power may beeliminated by having a power supply in the chassis.

Wires from the chassis into the cabin of the vehicle may be useful tocommunicate information to and from the computer, to control theradar/lidar (e.g., vehicle selection, report of speed), to control otherequipment (e.g., boom up, boom down), report equipment failures, andcommunicate information to and from radios. The number of wires neededto communicate data to and from the human interface inside the cabin ofthe vehicle may be minimized by having the computer act as the port forcommunications and/or control for all equipment. All wires into thecabin may be eliminated by using wireless communication between anyequipment in the chassis and the user interface in the cabin.

A chassis will speed the installation of equipment on a securityvehicle. Installation may be accomplished by attaching the chasses tothe exterior roof of the vehicle, and running a few wires (e.g., power,user interface) from the interior of the vehicle to the chassis.

Maintenance of a security vehicle will be simplified because theinterior of the vehicle will not need to be disassembled to accessequipment and wiring. Equipment may be serviced by opening doors or lidson the chassis to access equipment. The exterior sides may be remove toaccess equipment if necessary. Equipment may be easily removed from thechassis and replaced with a new unit. The entire chasses may be replacedwithout needing to rewire or disassemble the interior. If the userinterface on the interior of the vehicle fails, it could be removed forrepair or replaced without disassembling the interior of the vehiclebecause the wiring between the user interface may be left intact andjust the user interface replaced.

A chassis may be weather tight. A chassis may be enclosed with amaterial that is transparent to RF waves.

The width of a chassis may be as wide as or wider than the width of avehicle. The length of a chassis may be any portion of or more than thelength of the roof of a vehicle. The height of a chassis may be anyheight (e.g., 4-18 inches) needed to enclose the equipment. A chassismay be expandable. A chassis may be expanded at installation or afterinstallation. A chassis may expand in any dimension (e.g., width,height, length)

In embodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosure, asystem for providing security functions for a vehicle may include adrone. A drone may include an unmanned aerial vehicle. A drone may besized to fit in a drone port mounted on a vehicle. Dimensions of a dronemay be selected to enable a drone to be enclosed within a drone port. Animplementation of a drone according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure is shown in FIG. 4. Drone 400 includes housing 405,processing circuit 410, sensors 420, a camera 430, fans 440, memory 450,a power supply 460, communication circuit 470, and gimbal mount 480.Power supply 460 may provide electrical power to one or more othercomponents shown in FIG. 4. In embodiments, power supply 460 may includea battery and/or be a rechargeable power supply. Drone 400 mayoptionally include a payload 490. Drone 400 and camera 430 may performfunctions or be configured to perform functions of a drone and a camerarespectively as discussed elsewhere herein.

A housing provides structure for holding the components of a drone inposition so they can cooperate to perform the functions of a drone. Ahouse may be referred to as a frame (e.g., airframe). A housing may beformed of a rigid, light-weight material. A frame is formed of amaterial with sufficient strength to withstand the forces (e.g., torque,acceleration, movement, vibration) associated with a drone and flight.Components of a drone may be mounted in the housing. The components of adrone may be mounted to the housing. For example, fans 440, gimbal mount480, and/or payload 490 may be mounted to an external surface of housing405 of drone 400.

A processing circuit may control, in whole or in part, operations of adrone. A processing circuit may control the flight of a drone. Aprocessing circuit may autonomously control the flight of a drone. Aprocessing circuit may control a drone based on flight data. Aprocessing circuit may control image data captured by a camera of thedrone. A processing circuit may process image data captured by a cameraof a drone. A processing circuit may execute one or more modules onimage data to generate additional data. The additional data may beseparate from the image data. The additional data may comprise indicia.Indicia may include one or more values, identifiers, indicators, orother data usable by a device to perform a subsequent task. Theadditional data may be generated based on the processing of image databy the processing circuit. The additional data may not exist until imagedata is processed by a processing circuit. The additional data may beoutput from the processing circuit and provided to one or more othercomponents or devices.

A processing circuit may control communication (e.g., transmission,reception) of a communication circuit. A processing circuit maycooperate with a camera and a communication circuit to transmit imagedata. A processing may receive instructions from a communication circuitfor controlling the flight of the drone. The instructions may includeflight data. A processing circuit may receive information from acommunication circuit for identifying an object for tracking. Theinformation may include indicia of an object to be tracked.

A processing circuit may provide and/or receive electrical signalswhether digital and/or analog in form. A processing circuit may provideand/or receive digital data (e.g., information) via a bus using anyprotocol. A processing circuit may receive data, manipulate data, andprovide the manipulated data. A processing circuit may store data andretrieve stored data. Data received, stored, and/or manipulated by aprocessing circuit may be used to perform a function.

In embodiments, a processing circuit may include any circuitry and/orelectrical/electronic subsystem for performing a function. A processingcircuit may execute one or more stored programs. A processing circuitmay execute one or more stored modules. A processing circuit may includea digital signal processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, anapplication specific integrated circuit, a programmable logic device,logic circuitry, state machines, MEMS devices, signal conditioningcircuitry, memory, data busses, and/or address busses. A processingcircuit may include conventional passive electronic devices (e.g.,resistors, capacitors, inductors) and/or active electronic devices(e.g., op amps, comparators, analog-to-digital converters,digital-to-analog converters, programmable logic). A processing circuitmay include output ports, input ports, timers, embedded memory, and/orarithmetic units.

A processing circuit may control the operation and/or function of othercircuits and/or components of a system. A processing circuit may receivedata from other circuits and/or components of a system. A processingcircuit may receive status information regarding the operation of othercomponents of a system. A processing circuit may provide commands (e.g.,instructions, signals) to one or more other components responsive todata and/or status information. A command may instruct a component tostart operation, continue operation, alter operation, suspend operation,and/or cease operation. Commands and/or status may be communicatedbetween a processing circuit and other circuits and/or components viaany type of bus.

Processing circuit 410 may control, in whole or in part, the operationsof drone 400. Processing circuit 410 may control flight of drone 400.Processing circuit 410 may control launch of drone 400 from a droneport. Processing circuit 410 may control flight of drone 400autonomously in accordance with flight data. Processing circuit 410 mayreceive flight data prior to drone 400 exiting a drone port. Processingcircuit 410 may control flight of drone in accordance with inputs fromsensors 420. Processing circuit 410 may control flight of drone inaccordance with image data from camera 430. Processing circuit 410 maycontrol flight of drone in accordance with data received viacommunication circuit 470. Processing circuit 410 may control drone 400to travel to a position. Processing circuit 410 may control drone 400 toadjust a position of drone 400. Processing circuit 410 may control drone400 to adjust a position of drone 400 in air. Processing circuit 410 maycontrol fans 440 to position drone 400 and/or perform other functions.

Processing circuit 410 may receive image data from camera 430. Imagedata may include video data. In other embodiments, processing circuit410 may receive image data from camera 430 and generate video data fromimage data captured by camera 430 over a period of time. Processingcircuit 410 may execute one or more modules on image data from camera430. Modules executed or executable by processing circuit 410 may bereceived from memory 450. Execution of one or more modules may generateadditional data. Processing circuit 410 may process image data togenerate additional data. Processing circuit 410 may store image dataand generated additional data in memory 450.

Processing circuit 410 may control communication (e.g., transmission,reception) of communication circuit 470. Processing circuit 410 maycontrol transmission of data from communication circuit 470. Processingcircuit may receive data via communication circuit 470. Processingcircuit 470 may transmit image data from drone 400 via communicationcircuit 470. Processing circuit 470 may transmit additional datagenerated on drone 400 via communication circuit 470. For example,processing circuit 410 may transmit indicia of a detected object viacommunication circuit 470. Processing circuit 470 may receive flightdata via communication circuit 470.

A communication circuit transmits and/or receives information (e.g.,data). A communication circuit may transmit and/or receive (e.g.,communicate) information via a wireless and/or wireless communicationlink. A communication circuit may communicate using wireless (e.g.,radio, light, sound, vibrations) and/or wired (e.g., electrical,optical) mediums. A communication circuit may communicate using anywireless (e.g., BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, WAP, WiFi, NFC, IrDA, LTE, BLE, EDGE,EV-DO) and/or wired (e.g., USB, RS-232, Firewire, Ethernet)communication protocol. A communication circuit operable or configuredto transmit and/or receive information over a wireless medium and/or viaa wireless communication protocol may include a wireless communicationcircuit.

A communication circuit may transmit and/or receive (e.g., communicate)data via a wireless link. A communication circuit may performshort-range wireless communication and/or long-range wirelesscommunication. Short-range wireless communication may have atransmission range of approximately 20 cm-100 meters. Communicationprotocols for short-range wireless communication may include BLUETOOTH,ZIGBEE, NFC, IrDA and WiFi. Long-range wireless communication may have atransmission ranges up to 15 kilometers. Communication protocols forlong-range wireless communication may include GSM, GPRS, 3G, LTE, and5G. A communication circuit may communicate via a base station usinglong-range wireless communication.

In embodiments, a communication circuit include a data connectorconfigured to communicate with a data connector in a drone port. A dataconnector in the drone may communicate with a drone port in accordancewith one or more wired or wireless communication protocols. Inembodiments, a data connector of drone 400 may include a communicationcircuit 470 configured to communication in accordance with at least oneof a USB protocol and a WIFI protocol. Drone 400 may receive flight datavia a data connector of communication circuit 470. Drone 400 maytransmit indicia of a detected object, image data, and/or event data viaa data connector of communication circuit 470.

A processing circuit may detect an object in image data. Detecting anobject in image data may include generating indicia associated with thedetected object. The indicia may be provided as output from theprocessing circuit. In embodiments, one or more objects in image datamay be detected by a processing circuit. For example, multiple objectsin same image data may be detected by a processing circuit. Output datacomprising indicia of each detected object may be generated by theprocessing circuit. The output data may be transmitted from the devicein which it is generated.

Detection of an object may include determining a pixel location of anobject in image data. A pixel location may include one or more locationsof one or more pixels associated with an object in image data. Detectingan object may include generating indicia associated with the pixelsdetermined to represent an object. The indicia may include a boundarybox. The indicia may include one or more pixel coordinates in imagedata. The indicia may include other data indicative of one or morepixels associated with one or more detected objects represented in imagedata.

Detecting an object may also include classifying an object. An objectrepresented in image data may be classified as a type of object. Anobject classification may include a category to which an object belongs.For example, an object may be classified as a vehicle or a person. Inembodiments, an object may be classified as a tree, pole, wire, orbuilding, vehicle, or person. Indicia of a classification of an objectmay be generated as output data. Detecting an object in image data mayinclude classifying the object and generating associated indicia of theclassification for the detected object.

In embodiments, detecting an object may include determining a positionof the object. A position of an object may include a relative positionbetween the object and a camera that captures image data in which theobject is represented. A position may include a position of the objectin three-dimensional space. The position may include the position of theobject in the area around a vehicle. A position of an object may bedetermined relative to predetermined objects in the captured image data.For example, a position of an object may be determined based on alocation of an object in image data relative to a front of a vehicle towhich a device according to various aspects of the present invention ismounted. In embodiments, a position of an object may be determined fromimage data captured by a camera of a drone. The image data from a cameraof the drone may be processed by a processing circuit of the drone or acomputing device to generate indicia of a position of the object. Inembodiments, image data may include stereoscopic image data from which aposition of an object may be determined. Image data from a plurality ofcameras may be processed by a processing circuit to determine a positionof an object, wherein each camera has a different angle of view in whichimage data of the object is captured. In embodiments, determining aposition may also incorporate input from one or more other components.For example, a position may be determined using one or more laser rangefinders, lidar systems, ultrasound detectors, and/or other wirelessdistance detectors. Indicia of a position of an object may be includedin output data associated with a detected object.

In embodiments, a processing circuit may detect an object in image databy applying an object detector module to captured image data. The objectdetector module may be stored in memory. For example, processing circuit410 of drone 400 may execute an object detector module on image datafrom camera 430. The module may be stored in memory 450. The module maycomprise instructions stored in one or more non-transitory computerreadable mediums that, when executed by processing circuit 410, causethe drone 400 to perform steps for detecting an object in image data. Inembodiments, the module may comprise a machine learning model, trainedto detect one or more objects in image data. In embodiments, the modulemay implement a neural network trained to generate one or more indiciaof a detected object. The processing circuit 410 may detect multipleobjects in image data and generate indicate of each object. Indicia ofeach detected object may include one or more of a pixel location inimage data of the detected object, a classification of the detectedobject, and a position of the object.

Indicia of a detected object may be provided to other components indrone 400 or device, such as one or more devices shown in FIG. 3. Forexample, indicia of a detected object may be generated by processingcircuit 410 and stored in memory 450. Indicia of a detected object maybe provided to communication circuit 470 for transmission to otherdevices, such as a computing device in a chassis, a user interfacedevice, and a remote computing device.

In embodiments, object detection may be performed by other components ofa system. For example, a drone may capture image data and provide thisimage data to a computing device in a chassis of a device configured tobe mounted on a vehicle. The computing device may execute an objectdetector module on the received image. Data comprising indicia ofobjects detected by a processing circuit of the computing device may betransmitted to another device, including one or more of a remotecomputing device and a user interface. Accordingly, processing of imagedata may be distributed across multiple processing circuits, aprocessing circuit integrated with a drone and a processing circuitintegrated with a device configured to be mounted on a vehicle. Inembodiments, a computing device may include computing device 340. Inembodiments, an object detector module may be stored in storage system342. Computing device 340 may read and execute an object detector modulefrom storage system 342.

A processing circuit in a drone may process image data using othermodules as well. Each module may be stored in memory. A module maycomprise instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, causethe device in which the processing circuit is provided to perform one ormore functions. A module may comprise a machine learning model, trainedto process image data to generate predetermined output. For example, amodule may be trained to generate one or more predetermined types ofindicia. The module may be trained to process image data. Inembodiments, the module may implement a neural network trained togenerate one or more indicia associated with image data. Executing amodule with a processing circuit may cause the processing circuit togenerate output data comprising one or more indicia associated with apredetermined function of the module. In embodiments, a module maycomprise a dedicated circuit and/or a circuit configured to generate apredetermined set of indicia upon processing of image data by themodule.

A memory may store and/or retrieve data. A memory may store and/orretrieve digital data. A memory may store and/or retrieve image datacaptured by a camera. A memory may store and/or retrieve data thatresults from analysis of image data. A processing circuit may store datain a memory. A processing circuit may retrieve data from a memory. Amemory may include non-volatile memory. Instructions for execution by aprocessing circuit may be stored in non-volatile memory. Animplementation of a memory may include any semiconductor, magnetic,optical technology, or combination thereof.

Memory 450 is a device configured to store data for access by processingcircuit 410. Memory 450 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flashmemory), volatile memory (e.g. RAM memory), or a hybrid form ofcomputer-readable medium for data storage. Moreover, the memory 450 mayinclude one or more cache memories for high-speed access. Inembodiments, camera 430 may capture multiple images in a matter ofseconds. Multiple levels of cache memory may be used to ensure efficientexecution. Memory 450 may closely operate with the processing circuit410. For example, memory 450 may store multiple modules executable byprocessing circuit 410 to cause the processing circuit to performfunctions. Modules stored in memory 450 may include machine learningmodels. Modules stored in memory 450 may execute neural networks.Modules applied by processing circuit 410 may be executed on input datato generate indicia associated with the input data. In embodiments,modules stored in memory 450 may be executed by processing circuit 410on image data to generate indicia associated with the image data.

In embodiments, a module may be executed by processing circuit 410 inaccordance with a setting. A setting may include one or more valuesindicative of whether and/or how a module should be executed.by aprocessing circuit. A setting may be stored in memory 450 andselectively applied by a processing circuit to cause an associatedmodule to be executed.

In embodiments, a setting may be applied in response to one or more of acontrol signal received by a drone and/or an input detected by a drone.For example, a signal from a user interface device may be received toapply one or more settings. A signal from a user interface device may bereceived to apply a mode of operation associated with one or moresettings.

In embodiments, a drone may detect an input associated with a locationor position of the drone and apply one or more settings automatically.For example, a drone may detect its position based in image data. Thedetected position may that the drone is at a position within a droneport. The drone may then automatically apply one or more settings. Thesettings may include those associated with one or more modes ofoperation for the drone. For example, a drone may detect its positionusing image data and automatically apply one or more settings associatedwith a fixed mode. A drone may also detect a position of the drone basedon one or more signals from a communication circuit 470 or sensors 420.For example, a strength of a signal and/or indicia within a signalreceived via communication circuit 470 may indicate that drone 400 ispositioned within a drone port. Alternately or additionally, one or moresensors 420 and/or camera 430 may detect indicia disposed in a droneport to detect that the drone 400 is positioned within a drone port and,in response, apply one or more settings automatically.

In embodiments, memory 450 may store a license plate reader module.Processing circuit 450 may read license plate numbers from image data byexecuting the license plate reader module. The license plate readermodule may be executed on image data from camera 430 of the drone 400.Upon execution by the processing circuit, a license plate reader modulemay detect a license plate represented in image data and perform opticalcharacter recognition on the detected license plate in the image data.Indicia of one or more characteristics of the license plate may begenerated by executing the license plate reader module on image data.The indicia may include one or more letters or numbers and/or a region(e.g., state, country, etc.) associated with issuance of the licenseplate. Multiple license plates may also be detected in image data. Thelicense plate reader module may be selectively executed by theprocessing circuit 410. For example, the license plate reader module maybe executed on image data from a camera 430 when the drone is positionedin a drone port. The license plate reader module may be executed while avehicle is in motion. The license plate reader module may be executed onimage data from a camera 430 when a vehicle on which the drone port ismounted is in motion. In embodiments, the license plate reader modulemay not be executed on image data from a camera 430 after the drone haslaunched from a drone port. Processing circuit 410 may execute thelicense plate reader module in response to an applied setting. A settingmay include a value indicative of whether and/or how a module should beexecuted. A license plate reader module may be executed in a first modeof operation of the drone. The first mode may be a fixed mode ofoperation of the drone. A license plate reader module may not beexecuted in a second mode of operation of the drone. The second mode maybe an aerial mode of operation of the drone. By executing a licenseplate reader module, a drone 400 and a camera 430 of the drone maypreclude a need for additional components in a system to generatelicense plate related data. Capturing image data and executing a licenseplate reader module may also provide an additional use for a camera andprocessing circuit of a drone when the drone is not in flight.

In embodiments, memory 450 may store an aerial mapping module.Processing circuit 450 may detect objects in airspace around a vehicleand generate a map of the airspace by executing the aerial mappingmodule. The aerial mapping module may be executed on image data fromcamera 430 of drone 400. Upon execution by a processing circuit, anaerial mapping module may detect one or more objects in an area. Theobjects may include trees, poles, wires, buildings, and otherstructures. Detecting the objects may include detecting a relativeposition of each object in the area. Detecting the objects may includedetecting relative dimensions of the object in the area. Indicia of thedetected objects may be stitched, compiled, aggregated, or otherwisecombined to generate a three-dimensional map of an airspace of an areathrough which a source of the image data is positioned and/or throughwhich the source of the image data has travelled. An aerial mapgenerated by execution of the aerial mapping module by processingcircuit 410 may be stored in memory and/or offloaded from the drone viacommunication circuit 470. An aerial map may be used by a drone forreference during subsequent flight in in area. For example, an aerialmap may be used by a drone to automatically avoid an object in an aerialand/or navigate around an object in an area represented in the aerialmap.

The aerial mapping module may be selectively executed by the processingcircuit 410. For example, the aerial mapping module may be executed onimage data from a camera 430 when the drone is positioned in a droneport. An aerial mapping module may be executed on image data from acamera of a drone while a vehicle on which the drone port is mounted isin motion. In embodiments, an aerial mapping module may not be executedon image data from a camera of a drone after the drone has launched froma drone port. Processing circuit 410 may execute the aerial mappingmodule in response to an applied setting. An aerial mapping module maybe executed in a first mode of operation of the drone. The first modemay be a fixed mode of operation of the drone. An aerial mapping modulemay not be executed in a second mode of operation of the drone. Thesecond mode may be an aerial mode of operation of the drone.

An aerial mapping module may be selectively executed in a mode forvarious reasons. For example, an aerial mapping module may be executedwhen processing resources are available to perform the mapping and arenot needed for other tasks, such as those related to flight. an aerialmapping module may also be executed with a quality of image datareceived during a mode is consistent enough to generate an aerial map.

In embodiments, memory 450 may store a collision detection module.Processing circuit 450 may detect objects in an environment and predictwhether the detected objects may collide with a vehicle on which a droneport for the drone may be mounted by executing the collision detectionmodule. The collision detection module may be executed on image datafrom camera 430 of the drone 400. Upon execution by the processingcircuit, a collision detection module may detect one or more objectsrepresented in image data and determine a path of travel of each object.The collision detection module may further detect if a path of travel ofan object may intersect with a location of a vehicle from which theprocessed image data is captured. Indicia of a predicted collision maybe generated by a processing circuit if the path of travel of the objectand a location of a vehicle may intersect. Indicia of a predictedcollision may be output from a drone. For example, warning datacomprising indicia of a predicted collision may be transmitted to a userinterface device in a cabin of the vehicle so that the warning data maybe further presented to a user of the vehicle. The collision detectionmodule may be selectively executed by the processing circuit 410. Forexample, the collision detection module may be executed on image datafrom a camera 430 when the drone is positioned in a drone port. Thecollision detection module may be executed while a vehicle is in motion.In embodiments, the collision detection module may not be executed onimage data from a camera 430 after the drone has launched from a droneport. Processing circuit 410 may execute the collision detection modulein response to an applied setting. A setting may include a valueindicative of whether the collision detection module should be executed.A collision detection module may be executed in a first mode ofoperation of the drone. The first mode may be a fixed mode of operationof the drone. A collision detection module may not be executed in asecond mode of operation of the drone. The second mode may be an aerialmode of operation of the drone. By executing a collision detectionmodule, a drone 400 and a camera 430 of the drone may preclude a needfor additional components in a system to predict a collision of avehicle. Capturing image data and executing a collision detection modulemay provide an additional use for a camera and processing circuit of adrone when the drone is not in flight.

In embodiments, memory 450 may store an object tracking module.Processing circuit 450 may track a position of one or more objects in anenvironment by executing the object tracking module. The object trackingmodule may be executed on image data from camera 430 of the drone 400.Upon execution by the processing circuit, an object tracking module maydetect a position of each of one or more objects in image data. The oneor more positions may be tracked in each image of image data. Inembodiments, a position associated with each of an object for opticaltracking and an object for positional tracking may be tracking in imagedata captured by a camera of a drone. The one or more positions may betracked over time in image data. Indicia of a position of each objectmay be generated by executing the object tracking module on image data.The indicia may include one or more or a relative position from a sourceof the captured image data, a specific position in three-dimensionalspace, and/or a pixel position within image data. Position datacomprising indicia of an object may be provided as output from theprocessing circuit upon execution of an object tracking module. Theposition data may be stored in a memory, such as memory 450. Theposition data may be used by a processing circuit to perform subsequentfunctions.

For example, processing circuit 410 may process position data to controla gimbal mount 480. The position data may be used by the processingcircuit 410 to control gimbal mount 480 to orient camera 430 in adirection relative to a tracked object. For example, a gimbal mount 480may be controlled to adjust camera 430 such that an object associatedwith position data may be retained in an angle of view of camera 430.The gimbal mount 480 may be controlled to maintain a tracked object in acenter of an angle of view of the camera 430. The position data may beprocessed over time to control gimbal mount 480 to adjust camera 430 asa position of a tracked object changes. Gimbal mount 480 may be adjustedby processing circuit 410 to orient camera 430 toward an object inmotion. Gimbal mount 480 may also be adjusted to maintain a camera 430oriented toward an object when a platform on which camera 430 is mountedis moving. For example, position data may be used to orient a cameratoward a tracked object while drone 400 and/or a drone port in which thedrone is positioned is moving. In embodiments, such position data may beused to ensure that image data captures an object selected for opticaltracking.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, processingcircuit 410 may process position data to control one or more fans 440.The position data may be used by the processing circuit 410 to controlfans 440 to position drone 400 relative to a tracked object. Forexample, fans 440 may be controlled to move drone 400 at an azimuthrelative to a tracked object. Fans 440 may be controlled by processingcircuit 410 based on position data to maintain drone 400 at a relativedistance from a tracked object. Fans 440 may also be controlled to causedrone 400 to follow a tracked object. An object may be tracked inaccordance with a motion response indicated in flight data. Inembodiments, fans 440 may be controlled to position a drone inaccordance with a position of an object selected for positionaltracking.

In embodiments, a processing circuit may detect movement of an objectbeing tracked to determine whether to execute a motion response.Movement may be detected based on position data of the object generatedby the processing circuit. Movement may be detected based on positiondata generated by execution of an object tracking module by a processingcircuit. Movement may be detected by executing an object tracking moduleon image data captured by a camera of a drone. Movement may be detectedif a position of the object changes. Movement may be detected if anamount of change of a position exceeds a threshold. For example,movement may be detected if a current position of an object is greaterthan a threshold distance from a reference position. A referenceposition may include a first position at which the object was tracked bythe processing circuit. In embodiments, movement may be detected if acurrent position of an object is greater than a threshold distance(e.g., five feet, ten feet, twenty feet, etc.) compared to a firstposition at which the object was located upon launch of the drone from adrone port. Movement may be alternately or additionally detected ifposition of an object changes by an amount greater than a threshold overa predetermined period of time. For example, movement may be detected ifan object travels at least a predetermined distance (e.g., five feet,ten feet, twenty feet, thirty feet, etc.) within a predetermined periodof time (e.g., five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen seconds, etc.). Ifmovement of an object is detected by a processing circuit, a motionresponse may be initiated by a processing circuit of a drone. A motionresponse indicated in flight data on a drone may be executed by theprocessing circuit when movement of the object is detected. A processingcircuit may control a drone according to a predetermined motion responseif movement of a tracked object is detected.

In embodiments, memory 450 may also store flight data 452. The flightdata may include indicia of one or more of an object to be tracked, arelative position, and a motion response. An object to be tracked mayinclude one or more of an object for optical tracking and an object forpositional tracking. One or more indicia in flight data may be receivedby a drone and stored in memory prior to launch of the drone from adrone port. One or more indicia may be received via a communicationcircuit of the drone. In embodiments, flight data stored in memory mayinclude default indicia. For example, default indicia for an object forpositional tracking and/or an object for optical tracking may correspondto a vehicle on which a drone port for the drone is mounted.Alternately, default indicia for an object for positional trackingand/or an object for optical tracking may correspond to a persondetected in image data. Default indicia for an object for positionaltracking and/or an object for optical tracking may correspond to anobject closest to a center of image data being captured by a camera of adrone. Default indicia for a relative position may include predeterminedvalues for an altitude, azimuth, relative distance, and geofence data.Default indicia for a motion response may include a return motionresponse. In embodiments, flight data for launching a drone may includeone or more indicia received via a communication circuit and/or one ormore default indicia stored in memory prior to launch. In embodiments,flight data may be stored in memory, received by a processing circuit,and/or enabled to be executed by a processing circuit prior to launch ofa drone from a drone port. In embodiments, at least indicia of an objectto be tracked may be received by processing circuit 410 and/or stored inmemory 450 prior to launch of drone 400 from a drone port. Inembodiments, at least indicia of an object to be tracked may be receivedvia a communication circuit 410 prior to drone 400 exiting a drone port.

In embodiments, memory 450 may also store event data 454. Event data mayinclude image data captured by a camera of a drone. For example, memory450 may store image data captured by camera 430. Image data capturedover time may include video data. Event data stored in memory 450 mayinclude video data. The video data may include image data captured bycamera 430 before and after a launch of drone 400 from a drone port.Image data may be captured continuously before, during, and after a timeat which a drone is launched from a drone port. For example, processingcircuit 410 may control camera 430 to capture image data continuouslywhile drone 400 is launched from a drone port, including before andafter the launch. By capturing video continuously, a drone may generateevent data that includes images of objects and events external to adrone port leading up to a launch of the drone. Such event data,including images captured through a window of a drone port prior tolaunch, may provide a more complete record of an event, rather thanimages that are just captured after launch of a drone.

In embodiments, image data from a camera of a drone may be buffered fora predetermined period of time before launch of the drone. For example,captured image data may be stored for a predetermined time including oneminute, two minutes, five minute, or greater than five minutes inmemory. After the predetermined time, image data may be overwritten.After the predetermined time, image data may not preserved for storage.A memory may include a first-in-first-out buffer in which image data isstored for the predetermined prior of time. The buffer may include acircular buffer. Upon launch of the drone, buffered image data may bestored with image data captured after launch as event data in memory450. The buffered data and post-launch image data may be stored as eventdata. The event data may be subsequently offloaded for review. Forexample, the event data may be offloaded from memory 450 to one or moreof a user interface device 390 or a remote computing device 392 inembodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosure. Bybuffering image data and including the buffered image data with imagedata captured after launch of a drone, a more complete record of anevent leading up to a launch of a drone may be preserved.

In embodiments, captured image data may be both buffered and transmittedfrom a drone to another device, such as a user interface device or aremote computing device. Image data may be buffered and transmitted at asame time. Same image data may be stored and memory and received byanother device. Such embodiments may preserve image data to be includedin event data, as well as permit inputs to be received in associationwith objects detected in the image data.

In embodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosure, adrone may be operated in a mode. A drone may be operated in a mode byapplying mode data associated with the mode. Mode data for a mode mayinclude one or more settings. A setting may include one or more values.A drone may be controlled in accordance with a mode by controlling oneor more components of a drone based on the one or more values. Eachvalue may be indicative of how a component of the drone should becontrolled. Control of a component may include whether a componentshould be controlled. For example, one or more values may be applied ina mode to activate or deactivate a component of a drone. One or morevalues may be applied to adjust operation of a component. One or morevalues may be applied to process, not process, or selectively processimage data to generate output data from the processed image data. Inembodiments, a setting may include a value indicative of whether aprocessing circuit should execute a module. The one or more values of asetting may be applied by a processing circuit to change (e.g., adjust,increase, decrease, activate, deactivate, etc.) an operation of a drone.For example, a processing circuit of a drone may process mode data andcontrol one or more of the processing circuit, one or more fans, a GPSreceiver, a communication circuit, a camera, and a gimbal mount inaccordance with the mode data.

Mode data may include mode data for a plurality of modes. Mode data foreach mode may include one or more different settings. Mode data for amode may be stored in memory. For example, memory 450 may store modedata 456. A drone may be controlled in accordance with a mode byapplying mode data associated with the mode. Operating in differentmodes may include selectively applying a set of values for the modeamong different sets of values stored in memory. For example, a memoryof a drone may store mode data that includes a first set of valuesassociated with a first mode and a second set of values associated witha second mode of operation of the drone. The modes may be selectivelyapplied based on an input signal received by the drone. A processingcircuit may read values from memory associated with a given mode andthen activate or deactivate components of a drone, activate ordeactivate processing of image data using a module, and control one ormore components of the drone based on the values for the given mode.

In other embodiments, mode data comprising one or more values for a modemay be received by the drone and executed by the drone upon receipt. Forexample, a set of values for a mode may be received via a communicationcircuit of the drone. The values may then be received and applied by aprocessing circuit of the drone, thereby placing the drone into a modeassociated with the set of values. In this example, the applied valuesmay not be stored in memory prior to receipt by the communicationcircuit.

In embodiments, a drone may be operated at least two different modes. Afirst mode of the at least two different modes may include a fixed mode.A second mode of the at least two different modes may include an aerialmode. A fixed mode may be associated with a first set of values appliedby a processing circuit of the drone. An aerial mode may be associatedwith a second set of values applied by the processing circuit of thedrone. Each mode may have one or more values associated with one or moreof at least one fan of the drone, a gimbal mount of the drone, a cameraof the drone, one or more communication circuits of the drone, apositioning circuit of the drone, a processing circuit, and one or moreexecutable modules for processing image data to generate one or moredifferent output data. Values for a given component or manner ofprocessing (e.g., via a module executable by a processing circuit, etc.)may be different between different modes, causing a drone to operatedifferently in each mode in accordance with the different values.

In embodiments, memory 450 stores mode data 456. Mode data 456 includessettings for at least two modes. A first mode includes a fixed mode. Asecond mode includes an aerial mode.

A fixed mode may include one or more settings associated with variouscomponents. A fixed mode may be applied while a drone is positioned in adrone port. A fixed mode may be applied while a drone port is stationaryor in motion. A processing circuit of the drone may apply each settingto control one more components of the drone. For example, a setting maybe deactivate fans of the drone. The fans of the drone may be off orinactive (e.g., not powered, not controlled, not required to perform afunction, etc.) off in the fixed mode. The drone may be secured to thedrone port, such that the drone may not exit the drone port. Yet,components of the drone may be activated and configured to performfunctions based on the settings of the fixed mode. For example, asetting may cause a processing circuit to execute an object detectormodule. A setting may cause a processing circuit to execute a licenseplate reader module. A setting may cause a processing circuit to executean aerial mapping module. A setting in the fixed mode may cause aprocessing circuit to execute a collision detection module. Inembodiments, a setting may cause a processing circuit to not execute anobject tracking module. In embodiments, a setting may be applied by aprocessing circuit to deactivate a gimbal mount or limit movement of agimbal mount in one or more directions. A setting may also cause acommunication circuit to be deactivated. For example, a long-range radiocommunication circuit may be deactivated in accordance with a setting ofa fixed mode. A setting may also deactivate a GPS receiver of the drone.A setting for a fixed mode may also deactivate an infrared camera of thedrone.

An aerial mode may include one or more settings associated with variouscomponents. One or more of the settings may be different from settingsassociated with a fixed mode. An aerial mode may be applied while adrone is in-flight. An aerial mode may be applied after a drone haslaunched from a drone port. A processing circuit of the drone may applyeach setting from mode data for an aerial mode to control one morecomponents of the drone. For example, a setting may activate fans of thedrone. The fans of the drone may be activated continuously in an aerialmode. The fans of the drone may be controlled selectively to adjust aposition of a drone in an aerial mode. In an aerial mode, othercomponents may be controlled. Control may include deactivating anoperation of a component in order to allow a drone to employ itsresources to tasks related to flight. For example, a setting may cause aprocessing circuit to not execute an object detector module ordiscontinue execution of an object detector module. Instead, a settingin flight data for an aerial mode may cause a processing circuit toexecute an object tracking module. A setting may cause a processingcircuit to not execute or discontinue execution of a license platereader module. A setting may cause a processing circuit to not executeor discontinue execution of an aerial mapping module. A setting in anaerial mode may cause a processing circuit to stop executing ordiscontinue execution of a collision detection module. In embodiments, asetting may cause a processing circuit to begin execution of the objecttracking module based on an object detected by the object detectormodule. In embodiments, a setting may be applied by a processing circuitto activate a gimbal mount or permit a full, unlimited movement of agimbal mount in one or more directions. A setting may also cause acommunication circuit to be activated. For example, a long-range radiocommunication circuit may be activated in accordance with a setting ofan aerial mode. A setting may also activate a GPS receiver of the drone.In an aerial mode, an infrared camera of a drone may be activated andbegin capturing infrared image data of a target for optical tracking.Other combinations of settings may be included in a fixed mode and anaerial mode as well, including combinations in which a component iscontrolled in a same manner in each of a fixed mode and an aerial mode.

Settings in different modes may vary for various reasons. For example, Aposition of a drone during an aerial mode may decrease effectiveness ofa license plate reading operation or decrease a number of license platesin an angle of view captured by the camera altogether. Accordingly, anautomatic license plate reading module may be disabled, not executed bya processing circuit, not performed by a processing circuit, orotherwise set as inactive during an aerial mode for a drone. As anotherexample, generating an aerial map may be too resource intensive or afield of view in captured image data may be too variable to be employedto generate aerial map in an aerial mode for the drone. Accordingly, anaerial mapping module may be disabled, not executed by a processingcircuit, not performed by a processing circuit, or otherwise set asinactive during an aerial mode for a drone. During an aerial mode, adrone and a vehicle may be physically separate, preventing a collisiondetection module from being able to determine a path of the vehicle.Accordingly, a collision detection module may be disabled, not executedby a processing circuit, not performed by a processing circuit, orotherwise set as inactive during an aerial mode for a drone. Similarly,an object to be tracked may not be identified or identifiable in orderfor an object tracking module to properly function upon execution by aprocessing circuit in a fixed mode. Accordingly, an object trackingmodule may be disabled, not executed by a processing circuit, notperformed by a processing circuit, or otherwise set as inactive during afixed mode for a drone. In embodiments, an object tracking module may beexecuted by a processing circuit upon receipt of flight data, whereinthe flight data include indicia of an object to be tracked.

In embodiments, a drone may include one or more sensors. For example,drone 400 includes sensors 420. Sensors 420 may include one or more ofan altimeter, GPS receiver, position detector, accelerometers,gyroscopes, and other sensors that may enable a drone to initiate andmaintain flight. In embodiments, sensors 420 may also include one ormore distance detector. A distance detector may include one or morelaser range finders, lidar systems, ultrasound detectors, and/or otherwireless distance detectors. A distance detector may be used todetermine a position of one or more objects detected in image data. Forexample, a laser range finder may be controlled by processing circuit410 to determine a distance between the drone and a tracked object.Output from a distance detector may be used during execution of one ormore of an object detector module and an object tracking module togenerate indicia of a position of an object. One or more sensors 420 maybe controlled in accordance with flight data, such as indicia of anobject for positional tracking. One or more sensors 420 may providesignals to processing circuit 410 to enable processing circuit 410 todetermine a current position of drone 400, movement of the drone 400,and/or control fans 440 to move drone 400 toward a predeterminedposition.

Fans 440 include structures and electronics required for a drone to flyand move. In embodiments, fans may include a frame (e.g., housing),propellers, pusher propellers, motors (e.g., brushless electric),landing gear, a power supply, and/or an electronic speed controller.Fans may include a processing circuit that controls and coordinates theoperation of the fans (e.g., flight controller) to cause the drone tofly, land, turn, hover, or perform any other maneuver or operationrelated to flight. A processing circuit that controls other aspects(e.g., camera, communication) of the operation of the drone may performthe operations of a flight controller in whole or in part. For example,a flight controller for fans 440 may be implemented in processingcircuit 410 for drone 400. Processing circuit 410 may control fans 440to position a drone and/or perform one or more other functions discussedherein.

A camera includes one or more sensors for detecting physical properties.Physical properties may include light and sound. A sensor of the cameradetects light. A sensor may include a semiconductor device such ascharged coupled device (e.g., CCD). An area of the sensor (e.g., array)may be described as having rows (e.g., height) and columns (e.g., width)of pixels. Each pixel detects light. The pixels capture light at amoment in time to form an image. An image includes rows and columns ofpixels. The pixels may represent objects that were in the field of viewwhen the image was captured. A sensor may provide pixel data (e.g.,image data) as digital data. Digital image data may be presented, forexample on a display. An image may be comprehensible to a human. Thedigital data of an image may be processed (e.g., calculated,manipulated, analyzed) by a processing circuit. A processing circuit maydetect an object in an image or image data captured by a sensor of acamera. Image data may include a single image (e.g., a still) or asequence of images (e.g., video data) at a rate (e.g., 30frame-per-second). A camera may capture images in color and/or in blackand white. A camera may capture images in the visible light spectrum. Acamera may capture images outside (e.g., infrared, ultra-violet, x-ray)the visible light spectrum.

A camera may include optics (e.g., lenses, filters). A camera mayinclude one or more lenses. A lens of a camera may have a variable focallength. A focal length of the lens may be changed to captures images atdifferent sizes. A focal length of the lens may be change to zoom intoan area to capture images. A lens of a camera may have variableapertures. A processing circuit may control, in whole or part, theoperation of the optics of a camera.

Drone 400 includes at least one camera 430. Camera 430 may be controlledby processing circuit 410. Image data captured by camera 430 may bereceived by processing circuit 410. Image data from camera 430 may alsobe provided by processing circuit 410 to other components of drone 400,such as memory 450 or communication circuit 470.

A camera may be mounted on a gimbal mount. A gimbal mount may be mountedto a drone. A camera may be positioned (e.g., oriented, aim, directed,rotated, etc.) by a gimbal mount to capture image data in a particulardirection. The direction may include an associated angle of view. Inembodiments, a gimbal mount may adjust a position of a camera in two ormore directions and/or along two or more axes. A gimbal mount mayinclude a gyroscope for stabilizing the camera against movement and/orvibration. A processing circuit may control, in whole or part, theoperation of the gimble to position the camera. For example, camera 430is mounted to gimbal mount 480. Processing circuit 410 may controlgimbal mount to orient camera 430 in one or more directions as discussedherein. Processing circuit 410 may control gimbal mount 480 to orientcamera 430 toward an object for optical tracking.

In embodiments, a drone may also include a payload. A drone mayselectively attach at least one of a plurality of payloads prior tolaunch. A drone may selectively attach at least one of a plurality ofpayloads while the drone is still positioned in a drone port. Forexample, drone 400 is selectively attached to payload 490. A payload mayinclude another camera, an infrared camera, radio communicationequipment, a spotlight, and rescue equipment. Rescue equipment mayinclude one or more of a portable communication device, a flashlight,rope, a mask, a flare, and/or other equipment configured to provide aidduring an event. A drone may attach a payload upon positioning of thepayload in a predetermined position within a drone port. For example, adrone may include a mechanical and/or magnetic mount, configured toattach to a payload upon positioning of the payload to a given locationproximate the mount.

A drone may selectively detach from a payload. A drone may selectivelydetach from a payload upon receipt of an external signal. A drone mayselectively detach from a payload upon receipt of a signal from anotherdevice. The other device may be a user interface device. A receivedsignal may cause a drone to adjust a mount associated with a payload inorder to release a payload. For example, a drone may demagnetize a mountupon receipt of an external signal by the drone. A drone may alternatelyor additionally open a clasp or other form of mechanical fastener uponreceipt of an external signal. In embodiments, payload 490 includes oneof another camera, an infrared camera, radio communication equipment, aspotlight, and rescue equipment. Components of FIG. 4 may perform thefunctions of corresponding components respectively discussed elsewhereherein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, asystem for providing security functions for a vehicle may include adrone 530 and a device 510 configured to be mounted on the roof of avehicle 505. FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment in which a systemaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure may be usedduring an event involving another vehicle 550. The event may be atraffic stop. The other vehicle may include a door and at least oneperson. For example, vehicle 550 includes door 554 and person 552.Person 552 may be a passenger of vehicle 550. In this example, vehicle550 is north (i.e., positioned in a direction of three hundred sixtydegrees) relative to a position of vehicle 505.

As shown, drone 530 is positioned in a drone port 520 of device 510.While mounted in the device 510, drone 530 is configured to captureimage data. The captured image data may include an object. For example,image data captured by a camera of drone 530 may include a first objectand a second object. In embodiments, each object may correspond to oneor more of a person, vehicle, or building. For example, a first objectmay correspond to vehicle 550 and the second object may correspond toperson 552. The captured image data may include image data of a secondobject inside a vehicle. For example, image data of person 552 may becaptured by a camera of drone 530 while person 552 is still insidevehicle 550. Image data of person 552 may be captured through a windowof device 510 and a window of vehicle 550.

In embodiments, a third object may also be captured in the image data bythe drone. In embodiments, a third object may include one of a person,vehicle, or building. For example, image data captured by a camera ofdrone 530 includes an object corresponding to person 580. Person 580 maybe a driver of vehicle 505. Person 580 may be a law enforcement officer.Person 580 may be user of vehicle 505. Person 580 may operate a userinterface device in vehicle 505.

In embodiments, a drone may detect one or more objects in captured dataand transmit data associated with each detected object. Data associatedwith each object may include one or more indicia associated with adetected object. Example indicia include a location in image data of thedetected object, a classification of the object, and a position of theobject in an area around a vehicle. The data may be transmitted from thedrone to another device. For example, data comprising indicia of a firstobject and second object may be transmitted to one or more of a userinterface device and a remote computing device. Data comprising indiciaof a third object may also be transmitted to one or more of the userinterface device and the remote computing device. The data may betransmitted while the drone is positioned in a drone mount. For example,a camera of drone 530 may capture image data, detect objects in thecaptured data, and transmit data comprising indicia of the detectedobjects. The indicia may be transmitted while the drone is positioned indrone mount 520. In other embodiments, a camera of a drone may captureimage data of one or more objects and another component of device 510may detect and transmit data comprising indicia associated with thedetected objects. For example, a computing device of device 510 mayalternately or additional detect each object in captured image data andtransmit indicia of each detected object to another device. The otherdevice may include one of a user interface device and a remote computingdevice.

A drone may receive flight data. For example, drone 530 may receiveflight data. The flight data may be received while drone 530 is stillpositioned in device 510. The flight data may be received after thedrone has transmitted indicia of each object detected in image data. Theflight data may be received from another device. The flight data may bereceived via a device configured to be mounted on a vehicle. Inembodiments, the other device may include one of a user interface deviceand a remote computing device.

In embodiments, flight data may include one or more of indicia of anobject to be tracked, a relative position for a drone, and a motionresponse for a drone. The indicia of an object to be tracked may includeone or more of an object for optical tracking and an object forpositional tracking. In embodiments, an object for optical tracking maybe a same object as an object for positional tracking. The indicia foran object may indicate whether an object to be tracked is an object forpositional tracking or an object for optical tracking. In embodiments,indicia of an object may be interpreted as indicia of both an object foroptical tracking and an object for positional tracking by default and/orabsent separate indicia for each type of object. In other embodiments,separate indicia may be provided for each object type.

A drone may automatically position itself based on the flight data. Inembodiments, a drone may automatically launch after flight data isreceived. The flight indicia may include indicia to cause drone tolaunch from a drone port. The flight data may initiate operation of adrone in an aerial mode. In other embodiments, a separate input may bereceived by a drone to cause the drone to launch. For example, aseparate signal may be received via a communication circuit of thedrone, aside from a signal by which the flight data may be provided tothe drone provided. In these embodiments, the separate signal may bereceived after the flight data. Alternately or additionally, at leastone or more indicia in flight data may be received by the drone prior tolaunch and/or prior to a separate signal.

Automatic operation of a drone based on flight data is furtherillustrated in FIG. 5. Based on flight data, a processing circuit maycause a drone to position itself at one or more example positions 540.The positioning in many embodiments according to the present inventionincludes the drone automatically flying to a position, such as one ofpositions 540. Positioning of a drone may include automatic positioningof the drone at a position associated with flight data.

For example, flight data may be received for position 540-1. The flightdata may include indicia regarding an object corresponding to vehicle505. Indicia in the flight data may indicate that an object forpositional tracking corresponds with vehicle 505. Vehicle 505 may becaptured in image data by a camera of drone 530 prior to receipt offlight data. For example, a hood of vehicle 505 may be captured in imagedata and available for selection as an object for positional tracking.Indicia in the flight data may indicate that an object for opticaltracking corresponds with vehicle 550. In embodiments, vehicle 550 mayalso be captured in image data by a camera of drone 530 prior to launchof drone 530. The captured image data may be stored as event data. Inthis example, an object for positional tracking and an object foroptical tracking are indicated as different objects in the flight data.

Indicia in the flight data may also include a relative positionassociated with vehicle 505. For example, indicia of a relative positionmay include a relative distance of two feet. Indicia of a relativeposition may include an azimuth of three hundred sixty degrees. Indiciaof a relative position may also include an altitude value of twentyfeet.

Flight data may also include indicia of a motion response. For example,indicia of a motion response may include indicia of a return motionresponse.

In accordance with flight data, drone 530 may automatically positionitself at position 540-1. Based on the flight data, a processing circuitof drone 530 may control fans of drone 530 to travel to a position abovevehicle 505 while a camera of drone 530 is oriented toward vehicle 550.By being positioned at position 540-1, a camera of drone 530 may capturea different perspective of an area around a target object, including anarea in front of vehicle 550. At this position 540-1, a camera of drone530 may also capture a different angle of view around vehicle 550,compared to other cameras that may be positioned around vehicle 505. Atposition 540-1, drone 530 may be disposed at an altitude equal to analtitude in the flight data (e.g., twenty feet). Position 540-1 is alsoat a relative distance of two feet forward of a location on vehicle 505in accordance with a relative distance. In embodiments, a location is acenter location of vehicle 50. Based on the relative distance, drone 530is positioned above vehicle 505. Position 540-1 is also located threehundred sixty degrees ahead or relative to a center of vehicle 505 inaccordance with an azimuth in the flight data. An orientation of acamera of the drone 530 is also oriented toward vehicle 550, asindicated by the thicker, short arrow in FIG. 5 at position 540-1, andin accordance with the indicia in the flight data indicating thatvehicle 550 is an object for optical tracking.

From position 540-1, drone 530 may continue to orient its camera towardthe object for optical tracking, vehicle 550. At position 540-1, drone530 may track a position of the object for positional tracking, vehicle505. Such tracking or ongoing detection of a position of the trackedobject may be based on one or more of image data captured by a camera ofdrone 530 and/or one or more sensors of the drone 530 as discussedelsewhere herein. If vehicle 505 is determined to move, drone 530 mayautomatically adjust its position in accordance with indicia of a motionresponse in flight data. In this example, the motion response is areturn motion response. Based on this motion response, a processingcircuit of the drone 530 controls the drone 530 to return 542-1 to adrone port 520 upon detection of movement of vehicle 505.

In another example, flight data may be received corresponding toposition 540-2. The flight data may include indicia regarding an objectto be tracked corresponding to vehicle 550. Indicia in the flight datamay indicate that an object for positional tracking corresponds tovehicle 550. Vehicle 550 may be captured in image data by a camera ofdrone 530 prior to receipt of flight data. For example, a rear ofvehicle 550 may be captured in image data and render vehicle 550available for selection as an object for positional tracking. Indicia inthe flight data may indicate that an object for optical trackingcorresponds with a person in vehicle 550. For example, a driver of thevehicle may correspond to indicia of an object to be tracked received inflight data. In embodiments, a person in vehicle 550 may also becaptured in image data by a camera of drone 530 prior to launch of drone530. The image data may be recorded as event data. In this example, anobject for positional tracking and an object for optical tracking areindicated as different objects in the flight data.

Indicia in the flight data may also include a relative positionassociated with vehicle 550. For example, indicia of a relative positionmay include a relative distance of twenty feet. Indicia of a relativeposition may include an azimuth of two hundred seventy degrees. Indiciaof a relative position may also include an altitude value of ten feet.

Flight data may also include indicia of a motion response. For example,indicia of a motion response may include indicia of a return motionresponse in flight data associated with position 540-2.

In accordance with the flight data, drone 530 may automatically positionitself at position 540-2. Based on the flight data, a processing circuitof drone 530 may control fans of drone 530 to travel to position west ofvehicle 550 while a camera of drone 530 is oriented toward a person invehicle 550. By being positioned at position 540-2, a camera of drone530 may capture image data of a person inside a vehicle prior toapproach of a second person 580 to a driver side window of vehicle 550.Flight data may be received by drone 530 prior to a second person 580exiting vehicle 505. From position 540-2, a camera of drone 530 mayalternately or additional capture image data of an interaction between asecond person 580 and a person in vehicle 550.

At position 540-2, drone 530 may be disposed at an altitude equal to analtitude in the flight data (e.g., ten feet). Position 540-2 is also ata relative distance of twenty feet from vehicle 550 in accordance with arelative distance. Position 540-2 is also located two hundred seventydegrees relative to vehicle 550 in accordance with an azimuth in theflight data. An orientation of a camera of the drone 530 is alsooriented toward a person (not shown) in vehicle 550 as indicated by thethicker, short arrow in FIG. 5 at position 540-2 in accordance with theindicia in the flight data indicating that the person in vehicle 550 isan object for optical tracking.

From position 540-2, drone 530 may continue to orient its camera towardthe object for optical tracking, a person in vehicle 550. At position540-2, drone 530 may track and continue to track a position of theobject for positional tracking, vehicle 550. Such tracking or ongoingdetection of a position of the tracked object may be based on one ormore of image data captured by a camera of drone 530 and/or one or moresensors of the drone 530 as discussed elsewhere herein. If vehicle 550is determined to move, drone 530 may automatically adjust its positionin accordance with indicia of a motion response in flight data. In thisexample, the motion response is a return motion response. Based on thismotion response, a processing circuit of the drone 530 controls thedrone 530 to return 542-2 to a drone port 520 upon detection of movementof vehicle 550.

In another example, flight data may be received corresponding toposition 540-3. The flight data may include indicia of an object to betracked corresponding to vehicle 550. Indicia in the flight data mayindicate that an object for positional tracking corresponds with vehicle550. Vehicle 550 may be captured in image data by a camera of drone 530prior to receipt of flight data. For example, a rear of vehicle 550 maybe captured in image data and render vehicle 550 available for selectionas an object for positional tracking. Indicia in the flight data mayindicate that an object for optical tracking also corresponds withvehicle 550. Alternately, flight data may only include indiciaindicating that vehicle 550 is an object to be tracked and drone 530 mayinterpret the indicia to indicate that vehicle is both an object forpositional tracking and an object for optical tracking. In this example,an object for positional tracking and an object for optical tracking maybe indicated as a same object in the flight data.

Indicia in the flight data may also include a relative positionassociated with vehicle 550. For example, indicia of a relative positionmay include a relative distance of fifteen feet. Indicia of a relativeposition may include an azimuth of three hundred sixty degrees. Indiciaof a relative position may also include an altitude value of ten feet.

Flight data may also include indicia of a motion response. For example,indicia of a motion response may include indicia of a hold motionresponse in flight data associated with position 540-3.

In accordance with this example flight data, drone may automaticallyposition itself at position 540-3. Based on the flight data, aprocessing circuit of drone 530 may control fans of drone 530 to travelto a location north of vehicle 550 while a camera of drone 530 isoriented toward the vehicle 550 from this position. By being positionedat position 540-3, a camera of drone 530 may capture image data of oneor more persons inside a front of vehicle 550 during an event. Atposition 540-3, drone 530 may be disposed at an altitude equal to analtitude in the flight data (e.g., ten feet). Position 540-3 is alsolocated fifteen feet from vehicle 550 in accordance with indicia of arelative distance in the flight data. Position 540-3 is also locatedthree hundred sixty degrees relative to vehicle 550 in accordance withan azimuth in the flight data. An orientation of a camera of the drone530 is also oriented toward vehicle 550 as indicated by the thicker,short arrow in FIG. 5 at position 540-3. This orientation may be appliedby controlling a gimbal mount of drone 530 to aim a camera of drone 530toward vehicle 550 from position 540-3 in accordance with indicia in theflight data indicating that vehicle 550 is an object for opticaltracking.

From position 540-3, drone 530 may continue to orient its camera towardthe object for optical tracking, vehicle 550. At position 540-3, drone530 may track and continue to track a position of the object forpositional tracking, vehicle 550. Such tracking or ongoing detection ofa position of the tracked object may be based on one or more of imagedata captured by a camera of drone 530 and/or one or more sensors of thedrone 530 as discussed elsewhere herein. If vehicle 550 is determined tomove, drone 530 may automatically adjust its position in accordance withindicia of a motion response in flight data. In this example, the motionresponse is a hold motion response. Based on this motion response, aprocessing circuit of the drone 530 controls the drone 530 to maintain542-3 drone 530 at position 540-3 upon detection of movement of vehicle550.

In another example, flight data may be received corresponding toposition 540-4. The flight data may include indicia regarding an objectcorresponding to a person 552 in vehicle 550. Person 552 may be apassenger in vehicle 550. Person 552 may be positioned on a passengerside of vehicle 550. Person 552 may be positioned in vehicle 550 uponlaunch of drone 530 from device 510. Indicia in the flight data mayindicate that an object for positional tracking corresponds with theperson 552 in vehicle 550. Indicia in the flight data may indicate thatan object for optical tracking also corresponds with the person 552 invehicle 550. Person 552 in vehicle 550 may be captured in image data bya camera of drone 530 prior to receipt of flight data. For example,person 552 in vehicle 550 may be captured in image data through a windowof vehicle 550 and a window of device 510. Based on this captured imagedata, indicia of a detected object corresponding to person 552 may be agenerated. The generated indicia may enable person 552 to be availablefor selection as an object for positional tracking. In embodiments,person 552 in vehicle 550 may be captured in image data by drone 530prior to launch of drone 530. The image data may be stored as event datain drone 530. In this example, an object for positional tracking and anobject for optical tracking are indicated as a same object in the flightdata.

Indicia in the flight data may also include a relative positionassociated with person 552. For example, indicia of a relative positionmay include a relative distance of thirty feet. Indicia of a relativeposition may include an azimuth of ninety degrees. Indicia of a relativeposition may also include an altitude value of twenty feet.

Flight data may also include indicia of a motion response. For example,indicia of a motion response may include indicia of a follow motionresponse in flight data associated with position 540-2.

In accordance with this example flight data, drone may automaticallyposition itself at position 540-4. Based on the flight data, aprocessing circuit of drone 530 may control fans of drone 530 to travelto a position east of person 552 in vehicle 550 while a camera of drone530 is oriented toward the person 552 in the vehicle 550. From position540-4, a camera of drone 530 may capture image data of a person andactivity on an opposite side of vehicle from person 580. At position540-4, drone 530 may be disposed at an altitude equal to an altitude inthe flight data (e.g., twenty feet). This altitude may be sufficient toprevent person 552 from exiting vehicle 552 and making physical contactwith drone 530. Position 540-4 is also located ninety degrees relativeto person 552 in accordance with an azimuth in the flight data. Position540-4 is also located thirty feet from person 552 when person 552 is invehicle 550 in accordance with relative distance in the flight data. Anorientation of a camera of the drone 530 is also oriented toward person552 as indicated by the thicker, short arrow in FIG. 5 at position 540-4in accordance with the indicia in the flight data.

From position 540-4, drone 530 may continue to orient its camera towardthe object for optical tracking, person 552 in vehicle 550. At position540-4, drone 530 may track and continue to track a position of theobject for positional tracking, person 552 in vehicle 550. Such trackingor ongoing detection of a position of the tracked object may be based onone or more of image data captured by a camera of drone 530 and/or oneor more sensors of the drone 530 as discussed elsewhere herein.

If person 552 is detected to move, drone 530 may automatically adjustits position in accordance with indicia of a motion response in flightdata. In this example, the motion response is a follow motion response.Based on this motion response, a processing circuit of the drone 530controls the drone 530 to follow 542-4 person 552.

For example, movement of person 552 may be detected by drone 530. Themovement may correspond to person 552 exiting 556 vehicle 550 afteropening door 554. A processing circuit of drone 530 may control drone530 to move in a direction based on a changed position of person 552.For example, a position of drone may be adjusted in a direction toward achanged position of person 552. As person 552 continues to move 558,drone 530 may continue to follow 542-4 person 552. While followingperson 552, drone 530 may continue to maintain a relative position fromthe object for positional tracking, person 552. While following person552, drone 530 may continue to orient a camera toward the object foroptical tracking, person 552. Drone 530 may continue to follow person552 until person 552 discontinues movement. In embodiments, drone 530may also continue to follow an object for positional tracking until alimit associated with geofence data is reached. At a position associatedwith a limit in geofence data, a drone may automatically execute a holdmotion response or a return motion response. Indicia of geofence datamay be included in flight data received by the drone. In otherembodiments, a memory of drone 530 may include default indicia ofgeofence data.

Positions 540 are illustrative; other positions may also be included atwhich a drone positions itself automatically after launch. Positionsaside from and/or in addition to positions 540 may be employed,selected, or otherwise included in embodiments according to variousaspects of the present disclosure.

In embodiments according to various aspects of the present disclosure, achassis may include a plurality of drone ports. Systems according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure may include the chassis and aplurality of drones. The chassis and each drone port may be configuredto receive a drone in a particular orientation. A particular orientationmay include an orientation in which a camera of the drone is orientedupon landing or otherwise being positioned in the chassis. A drone portmay comprise one or more surfaces (e.g., guides, channels, posts, etc.)configured to receive a drone in a particular orientation. Each droneport in a chassis may be configured to receive a drone in a differentorientation. For example, a drone port may be configured to receive afirst drone in a first orientation associated with a first direction. Adrone port in a same chassis may be configured to receive a second dronein a second orientation associated with a second direction. The firstdirection and second direction may be in different directions. The firstdirection and second direction may be opposite directions.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a chassis according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure. System 600 includes a device 605 configured to bemounted on a vehicle. In embodiments. system 600 includes a device 605configured to be mounted on a vehicle and drones 630. Device 605includes a chassis and a plurality of drone ports 620 integrated in thechassis. The drone ports 620 include windows 622. Each drone 630includes a camera 632. Each camera 632 has an associated angle of view640. Each camera 632 is oriented in a direction 650. A direction 650 maycorrespond to a direction of a center of an angle of view 640 of acamera 632. A direction 650 may be in a direction associated with adirection relative to a vehicle and/or portion of a vehicle on whichdevice 605 is configured to be mounted. For example, a direction mayinclude one or more of a forward-facing direction of a vehicle, arear-facing direction of a vehicle, a direction of a passenger side of avehicle, a direction of a driver side of a vehicle. A direction 650 mayinclude a direction from a camera 632 through a window 622 of the droneport. Device 605 may be a light bar, further including lights 670positioned at and/or around a periphery of chassis 610.

For example, device 605 includes a first drone port 620-1. First droneport 620-1 is positioned at a first end of device 605 and chassis 610.First drone port 620-1 is positioned at an asymmetrical location withindevice 605 and chassis 610. First drone port 620-1 may be positioned ona side of device 605 that corresponds to a passenger side of a vehicleon which device 605 is configured to be mounted. Drone port 620-1includes a first window 622-1. First window 622-1 is disposed along afirst side of the drone port. The first side may be integrated with anelongated first side of device 605. The first side may be integratedwith an elongated first side of chassis 110. First drone port 620-1includes an enclosure configured to house first drone 630-1.

First drone 630-1 includes a first camera 632-1. First camera 632-1 isphysically integrated with first drone 630-1. For example, first camera632-1 may be integrated with first drone 630-1 via a gimbal mount. Firstcamera 632-1 has a first angle of view 640-1. First camera 632-1 isoriented in a first direction 650-1. First camera 632-1 is oriented in afirst direction 650-1 when positioned in first drone port 620-1. Firstdirection 650-1 includes a direction from first camera 632-1 through afirst window 622-1 of first drone port 620-1. In embodiments, firstdirection 650-1 is a forward-facing direction when device 605 is mountedon a vehicle. First direction 650-1 is along a passenger side of avehicle when device 605 is mounted on a vehicle.

In embodiments, device 605 also includes a second drone port 620-2.Second drone port 620-2 is positioned at a second end of device 605 andchassis 610. The second end is an opposite end of device 605 and chassis610 relative to a position of a first drone port 620-1. Second droneport 620-2 is positioned at an asymmetrical location within device 605and chassis 610. Second drone port 620-2 may be positioned on a side ofdevice 605 that corresponds to a driver side of a vehicle on whichdevice 605 is configured to be mounted. Drone port 620-2 includes asecond window 622-2. Second window 622-2 is disposed along a second sideof the drone port. The second side is integrated with an elongatedsecond side of device 605. The second side may be integrated with anelongated second side of chassis 110. Accordingly, windows 622 aredisposed on different sides of chassis 610. Windows 610 are disposed onopposite sides of chassis 610. Windows 610 may be disposed parallel toeach other, but configured to enable a respective camera 632 to captureimages of objects external to chassis 610 in different directions.Second drone port 620-2 includes an enclosure configured to house seconddrone 630-2.

Second drone 630-2 includes a second camera 632-2. Second camera 632-2is physically integrated with second drone 630-2. For example, secondcamera 632-2 may be integrated with second drone 630-2 via a gimbalmount. Second camera 632-2 has a second angle of view 640-2. Secondangle of view 640-2 is a different angle of view from first angle ofview 640-1. The angles of view 640 are different for each drone 630 wheneach drone 630 is positioned in chassis 610. Second angle of view 640-2enables second camera 632-2 to capture different image data compared toa first angle of view 640-1. Each object represented in image data for asecond angle of view 640-2 may be different from each object representedin image data for a first angle of view 640-1. In embodiments, secondangle of view 640-2 does not overlap with a first angle of view 640-1.Second camera 632-2 is oriented in a second direction 650-2. Secondcamera 632-2 is oriented in a second direction 650-2 when positioned insecond drone port 620-2. In embodiments, second direction 650-2 isdifferent from first direction 650-1. In embodiments, second direction650-2 is opposite first direction 650-1. Second direction 650-2 includesa direction from second camera 632-2 through a second window 622-2 ofsecond drone port 620-2. In embodiments, second direction 650-2 is arear-facing direction when device 605 is mounted on a vehicle. Inembodiments, second direction 650-2 is along a driver side of a vehiclewhen device 605 is mounted on a vehicle. Based on different firstdirection 650-1 and second direction 650-2, each camera 632 may captureimage data comprising different sets of objects in an area around adevice 605. The different captured image data may provide a morecomplete record of events that occur around a vehicle on which device605 is mounted. In embodiments, objects captured in image data from eachdrone 632 may be available for selection as a tracked object andsubsequent automatic positioning of one or more drones relative thereto.In embodiments, captured image data from each drone 630 may be stored asevent data in a same storage system in device 605. In embodiments,device 605 may include a storage system and other components, includingone or more components disclosed with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a method performed by a drone to providesecurity functions for a vehicle according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In embodiments, a processing circuit of a drone mayexecute instructions from a computer-readable storage medium, that whenexecuted, cause the drone to perform one or more blocks of FIG. 7. Inembodiments, a drone may include a processing circuit and one or moreother components disclosed here. The drone may be configured to executeone or more functions associated with one or more blocks shown in FIG. 7and/or disclosed elsewhere herein.

At start, a drone may be disposed within a drone port. The drone portmay be included in a chassis. The chassis may be mounted on a vehicle.The vehicle may be in motion. In other embodiments, the vehicle may bestationary.

After starting, a drone may apply a fixed mode 710. In a fixed mode,settings associated with a fixed mode may be applied by a drone.Applying a fixed mode may include operating the drone in a fixed modefor a period of time. A processing circuit of a drone may apply one ormore settings of the fixed mode to control one or more components of thedrone. For example, the fans of the drone may be deactivated in a fixedmode. Applying a fixed mode may include applying a fixed mode while avehicle on which a drone port for a drone may be in motion. Applying afixed mode may include operating the drone according to one or moresettings in mode data for the fixed mode for a period of time.

In a fixed mode, a setting may limit operation of a gimbal mount. Aprocessing circuit of the drone may limit movement of the gimbal mountin one or more directions. For example, movement of the camera in avertical direction may be prevented via gimbal mount. The camera mayonly be permitted to rotate, move, or otherwise be variably oriented ina horizontal direction via a gimbal mount while the drone is operated ina fixed mode. For example, a camera be rotated in a horizontal directionin a fixed mode in order to detect an object, including for purposes ofdetecting a potential vehicle collision or automatic license platereading. In other embodiments, movement of the camera may be preventedin multiple directions. A processing circuit may completely prevent agimbal from rotating, moving, or otherwise variably orienting a camera.A gimbal mount may not be powered or may be otherwise rendered inactivein a fixed mode.

In a fixed mode, a setting may be applied to render a long-rangecommunication circuit of the drone inactive. A setting of mode data fora fixed mode may cause a processing circuit of a drone to deactivate along-range communication circuit of the drone. In a fixed mode,long-range communications may be received by the drone via radios andother radio communication components of the chassis. For example, aremote computing device may transmit and receive data from a drone via aradio communication circuit mounted in the chassis. The radiocommunication circuit of the chassis may transmit and receive long-rangecommunication signals with the remote computing device, while providingand receiving data for these signals via direct or indirectcommunication within the chassis. The availability of long-rangecommunication circuit in the chassis may prevent a need for any similarsuch duplicate communication circuit to be activated in the drone in afixed mode.

In a fixed mode, a global positioning system circuit may be inactive. Asetting of mode data for a fixed mode may cause a processing circuit ofa drone to deactivate a GPS receiver of the drone. A drone may employGPS position data received from the chassis, rather than a GPS receiverwithin the drone itself. Duplicate or similar position data from a GPSreceiver of the drone itself may not be necessary or useful, when thedrone is positioned in the chassis and able to obtain same or similarpositioning data from the chassis.

In a fixed mode, an infrared camera may be inactive. A setting of modedata for a fixed mode may cause a processing circuit of a drone todeactivate an infrared camera of the drone. An infrared camera may notbe useful when a drone is positioned in a chassis. For example, aninfrared camera may be employed by a drone during search and rescueactivity. However, in a fixed mode, an infrared camera of a drone may bepositioned too distant from a search area, preventing image data from aninfrared camera from providing image data in which an object to berescued may be identified. In a fixed mode, an infrared camera of adrone an object to be rescued may be observed in different manners,including visually by a user in a vehicle or in image data captured by anon-infrared camera.

In a fixed mode, an angle of view of a camera may be different from anangle of view applied or configured to be applied during an aerial mode.A setting of mode data for a fixed mode may cause a processing circuitof a drone to adjust an angle of view of a camera of the drone. An angleof view applied or able to be applied in one mode may be greater than anangle of view applied or able to be applied in the other mode. A rangeof view angles may be greater one mode in comparison with a range ofangles applied or able to be applied in the other mode. For example, ina fixed mode, an angle of view of image data captured by the camera maybe set to a maximum angle of view. Such a field of view may enable ahigher number of objects to be captured in image data. Such relativeimage data may be beneficial for object detection. Other cameras on thechassis may also have a smaller angle of view, decreasing a need for anarrower angle of view from the camera of the drone as well.

At block 715, a camera of the drone may capture image data. Capturingimage data may include capturing image data through a window of a droneport. Capturing image data may include capturing image data while adrone is positioned in a drone port. Capturing image data may includecapturing image data prior to opening of a motorized access of a droneport. Capturing image data may include capturing image data while avehicle on which the drone port is mounted is in motion. Capturing imagedata may include capturing image data while a vehicle on which the droneport is mounted is stationary.

In embodiments, capturing image data may include executing one or moremodules with a processing circuit of the drone. The modules may beexecuted in accordance with settings for a fixed mode stored in modedata. The one or more modules, when executed by the processing circuit,may cause image data to be captured by a camera of the drone andprovided to the processing circuit for further processing by the one ormore modules. For example, capturing image data may include executing alicense plate reader module. Capturing image data may include executingan aerial mapping module. Capturing image data may include executing acollision detection module. Executing at least one module by aprocessing circuit may cause image data to be captured by a camera of adrone. In other embodiments, a drone may capture image data 715independent of and/or prior to execution of a module by a processingcircuit of a drone.

At block 720, an object may be detected in the captured image data.Detecting an image data may include executing an object detector moduleand generating indicia of a detected object. Detection may includedetermining one or more pixels associated with an object in the capturedimage data. Detection of an object may generate output data associatedwith the pixels determined to represent an object. Detecting an objectmay also include classifying an object. In embodiments, detecting anobject may include determining a position of the object. Detecting anobject may include generating an output comprising indicia of one ormore of a location in image data of the object, a classification of theobject, and a position of the object.

Detecting an object may include transmitting indicia of a detectedobject. Detecting an object may include transmitting indicia of adetected object to a user interface device. Detecting an object mayinclude transmitting indicia of a detected object to a remote computingdevice. Detecting an object may include transmitting indicia of adetected object via a device configured to be mounted on a vehicle. Forexample, detecting an object may include transmitting the indicia via acommunication circuit in a chassis configured to be mounted on avehicle.

In other embodiments, detecting an object may be performed by acomputing device, rather than the drone. Detecting an object accordingto these embodiments may include the computing device receiving imagedata captured by a drone. Detecting an object may include executing anobject detector module by a processing circuit of the computing device.Detecting the object in these embodiments may include the computingdevice transmitting output data comprising indicia of the detectedobject. The output data may be transmitted to another device, such as aremote computing device and/or a user interface device.

At block 730, flight data is received. Receiving flight data may includereceiving flight data by the drone. The flight data may be received viaa device configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The flight data may bereceived from a remote computing device. The flight data may be receivedfrom a user interface device. One or more of the remote computing deviceand the user interface device may have receive one or more indicia of adetected object. In response, a drone may receive flight data comprisingindicia related one or more of the detected objects. The related indiciamay indicate an object to be tracked corresponds to an object previouslydetected in captured image data.

The flight data may include indicia. Indicia in the flight data may beassociated with a manner in which the drone should automatically operateafter launch. The indicia may include indicia by which a processingcircuit of a drone subsequently automatically controls one or morecomponents of the drone. The indicia may be included in flight datareceived by the drone. The flight data may be received after the imagedata is captured by the drone.

At block 740, event data may be recorded. Recording event data mayinclude storing image data captured by a camera of the drone in memory.Recording event data may include storing buffered image data with imagedata subsequently captured by a camera of the drone. Accordingly, eventdata stored in memory of the drone may include image data captured priorto launch of a drone. In embodiments, a drone may record event data onreceipt of flight data. The drone may record event data automaticallyupon receiving the flight data.

At block 750, a drone may apply an aerial mode. Applying an aerial modemay include applying settings associated with an aerial mode in modedata. Applying an aerial mode may include operating a drone in an aerialmode for a period of time. A processing circuit of a drone may apply oneor more settings associated with an aerial mode to control one or morecomponents of the drone.

For example, fans are activated by the drone in an aerial mode. The fansmay be activated constantly during an aerial mode. The fans may enablethe drone to exit a chassis. The fans may enable the drone to exit adrone port. In an aerial mode, fans in an aerial mode may be activatedin accordance with flight data. Fans in an aerial mode may be controlledduring flight of the drone in accordance with flight data.

In contrast to a fixed mode, a gimbal mount may be permitted a higherrange of motion in an aerial mode. For example, a processing circuit ina drone may control or enable a gimbal mount to move a camera in bothvertical and horizontal directions in an aerial mode. A camera may havea full range of motion in an aerial mode. A full range of motion maycorrespond to a full range of motion to which a gimbal mount may beoriented. A gimbal mount may be powered and activated in the aerialmode. A camera may be permitted, controlled, enabled, or otherwiseconfigured to be oriented in at least one more direction than when thedrone is operated in a fixed mode. In an aerial mode, a camera may berotated in multiple directions, for example, in order to track an objectin multiple directions in three-dimensional space. Different valuesassociated with the gimbal mount for each of the fixed mode and aerialmode may be stored in memory and applied by a processing circuit tocontrol the gimbal mount in accordance with each mode.

In an aerial mode, a long-range communication circuit may be activated,so that the drone may be able to transmit and receive long-rangecommunication signals with various devices, including the chassis andthe remote computing device. The circuit may be activated in accordancewith mode data for an aerial mode processed and applied by a processingcircuit of the drone.

In an aerial mode, a GPS receiver of the drone may be activated,enabling a drone to determine its position independent of a position ofa chassis. The receiver may be activated in accordance with mode datafor an aerial mode processed and applied by a processing circuit of thedrone.

In an aerial mode, an infrared camera of a drone may be activated. Onceactivated in an aerial mode, an infrared camera may capture additionalimage data in which an object may be detected. The camera may beactivated in accordance with mode data for an aerial mode processed andapplied by a processing circuit of the drone.

In an aerial mode, an angle of view of a camera may be lower orselectively set to a lower angle of view by the drone. In an aerialmode, an object to be tracked in image data may be indicated in flightdata received by the drone. A lower angle of view may enable the trackedobject to be captured at a higher resolution by the drone. Differentangles of view may be set, for example, by adjusting a focal length ofthe camera. A processing circuit of the drone may select different focallengths for a camera or enable or disable different focal lengths to beselected for a camera in accordance whether a drone is operated in afixed mode or an aerial mode, thereby enabling a different angle of viewto be captured in image data for the different modes. A processingcircuit may adjust an angle of view of a camera in accordance withsettings in mode data for an aerial mode.

At block 750, a drone is launched. Launching the drone may includelaunching the drone from a drone port. Launching the drone may includecausing the drone to exit a chassis. A processing circuit of the dronemay control fans of the drone to launch the drone from the drone port.In embodiments, a drone may launch based on receipt of flight data. Thedrone may launch automatically upon receiving the flight data. Theflight data may comprise indicia of an object to be tracked. Afterlaunch, the drone may track the object based on the received flightdata. Tracking the object may comprise one or more functions asdescribed with respect to blocks 755-790.

In embodiments, launching a drone may include selecting a payload amonga plurality of payloads. The plurality of payloads may include two ormore of a second camera, an infrared camera, radio communicationequipment, a spotlight, and rescue equipment. The payload may beselected prior to launch. The payload may be selected immediately priorto launch of the drone from a drone port. Selecting a payload mayinclude securing the payload to the drone. The payload may be securedvia a mount of the drone. A mount of the drone may selectively attachthe payload to the drone.

At block 755, a camera of the drone may continue to capture image data.Continuing to capture image data may include capturing second imagedata. Continuing to capture image data may include capturing image dataduring launch. Continuing to capture image data may include capturingimage data while a drone is positioned external to a drone port.Continuing to capture image data may include capturing image data aftera motorized access of a drone port has been opened. In embodiments,continuing to capture image data may include continuing to recordcaptured image data as event data. The captured image data may becontinuously stored as flight data in memory of the drone. The capturedimage data may be continuously stored as event data during launch of thedrone. The captured image data may be continuously stored as event dataafter launch of the drone. The camera of the drone may be configured tocapture data continuously before and after launch. The continuouslycaptured data may be stored together in memory. The continuouslycaptured data may be stored as a single set of event data. Continuing tocapture image data may include continuing to capture image data with thecamera after launch and storing the image data captured after launchcontinuously with the image data captured while the drone was positionedin the drone port. The continuously captured image data may be recordedin a single file. The continuously captured image data may be storedwith image data captured while the drone was positioned in the droneport. The continuously captured image data may include video data. Thevideo data may include image data captured prior to launch of the drone.The same video data may include image data captured during and afterlaunch of the drone. The video data may be recorded in a single videofile. The video data may be stored as a single video file. Inembodiments, the drone may continue to capture image data based onreceipt of flight data. The drone may continue to capture image dataautomatically upon receiving the flight data.

In embodiments, continuing to capture image data may include executingone or more modules with a processing circuit of the drone. The modulesmay be executed in accordance with settings for an aerial mode stored inmode data. The one or more modules, when executed by the processingcircuit, may cause image data to be captured or continued to be capturedby a camera of the drone and provided to the processing circuit forfurther processing by the one or more modules. Continuing to captureimage data may include executing at least one module by a processingcircuit of the drone. For example, capturing image data may includeexecuting an object tracking module. Execution of other modules, such aslicense plate reading module, an aerial mapping module, and a collisiondetection module may be discontinued and or not performed by aprocessing circuit in accordance with settings for an aerial mode. Inother embodiments, a drone may continue to capture image data 760independent of execution of a module by a processing circuit of a drone.

At block 760, a camera of a drone may be oriented based on flight data.Orienting a camera may include orienting a camera toward a trackedobject. Orienting a camera may include orienting a camera toward anobject for optical tracking. Orienting a camera may include controllinga gimbal mount of a drone based on a tracked object. Orienting a cameramay include adjusting a camera based on a position of a tracked objectin captured image data. Orienting a camera may include continuouslycontrolling a gimbal mount of a drone based on a position of a trackedobject over time. Orienting a camera based on flight data may includeexecuting an object tracking module with a processing circuit of thedrone to detect a position of a tracked object and orienting a camerabased on the detected position. Orienting a camera based on flight datamay include determining a change in position of a tracked object byexecuting an object tracking module to determine a changed position ofthe tracked object and orienting a camera based on the changed position.

At block 770, a drone may be positioned based on flight data.Positioning a drone based on flight data may include controlling one ormore fans of a drone to move a drone to a location in accordance withthe flight data. Positioning a drone based on flight data may includepositioning the drone based on a tracked object. Positioning a dronebased on flight data may include positioning the drone based on anobject for positional tracking indicated in the flight data. Positioninga drone may include positioning the drone based on a relative positionindicated in the flight data. Positioning a drone may includepositioning the drone based on one or more of an azimuth, altitude, andrelative distance in the flight data. Positioning the drone may includeexecuting an object tracking module with a processing circuit of thedrone to detect a position of a tracked object and positioning the dronebased on the detected position. Positioning the drone may includeexecuting an object tracking module with a processing circuit of thedrone to detect an initial position of a tracked object upon launch ofthe drone.

At block 780, a drone may determine whether a tracked object has moved.The tracked object may be an object for positional tracking. Determiningwhether a tracked object has moved may include detecting movement of thetracked object. Determining whether a tracked object has moved mayinclude executing an object tracking module with a processing circuit ofthe drone to detect a current position of the tracked object.Determining whether a tracked object has moved may include comparing thecurrent position to a reference position of the tracked object. Areference position may include an initial position of the trackedobject. Determining whether a tracked object has moved may includedetermining whether a current position of the tracked object isdifferent from a reference position of the tracked object. Determiningwhether a tracked object has moved may include determining whether acurrent position of the tracked object differs from a reference positionof the tracked object by an amount greater than a threshold distance.Determining whether a tracked object has moved may include determiningan object has moved when a current position is different from areference position. Determining whether a tracked object has moved mayinclude determining an object has moved when a current position differsfrom a reference position by greater than a threshold distance.Determining whether a tracked object has moved may include maintaining aposition when a tracked object is determined to not have moved.Determining whether a tracked object has moved may include maintaining aposition while movement is not detected at block 785. If no movement ofa tracked object is determined at block 780, processing may end.

If movement of a target object is determined at block 780, processingmay move to block 790. At block 790, a position of the drone may beadjusted. Adjusting the position of the drone may include adjusting theposition of the drone based on flight data. Adjusting the position ofthe drone may include adjusting the position in accordance with a motionresponse in flight data. The motion response may include indicia of aposition adjustment for the drone to automatically make upon determiningthe target object has moved. The motion response may include indicia ofa position adjustment for the drone to automatically make upon detectingmovement of the tracked object. The motion response may include aposition adjustment that corresponds to one of maintaining a position,following the tracked object, and returning to a drone port.

In embodiments, flight data may include indicia of a hold motionresponse. The flight data may include indicia of a position adjustmentthat corresponds to maintaining a position of the drone. The positionmay be maintained at a current position of the drone. The position maybe maintained at a position of the drone upon detecting or determiningmovement of the tracked object. The position may be maintained at aposition corresponding to a relative position in flight data. Adjustingthe position of the drone may include maintaining a position of thedrone in accordance with a hold motion response in flight data. Forexample, a processing circuit may control one or more fans to continuepositioning of the drone at a current position in accordance with a holdmotion response. In accordance with a hold motion response, adjustingthe position of the drone may include discontinuing adjusting a positionof a drone based on a relative position in flight data.

In embodiments, flight data may include indicia of a follow motionresponse. The flight data may include indicia of a position adjustmentthat corresponds to following the tracked object. Adjusting the positionof the drone may include adjusting a position of the drone in accordancewith the follow motion response in flight data. For example, aprocessing circuit may control one or more fans to adjust a position ofthe drone in accordance with a follow motion response. Adjusting theposition of the drone may include adjusting a position of the drone inaccordance with the follow motion response and a relative position inflight data. Adjusting the position of the drone may include adjusting aposition of the drone in accordance with a position of the trackedobject. For example, a processing circuit may control one or more fansto adjust a position of the drone to cause the drone to follow thetracked object. A processing circuit may control one or more fans toadjust a position of the drone to cause the drone to move in a directiontoward a position of the tracked object. A processing circuit maycontrol one or more fans to adjust a position of the drone to cause thedrone to move in a direction associated with a direction of motion ofthe tracked object.

Adjusting the position of the drone may include adjusting a position ofthe drone in accordance with a return motion response in flight data.For example, a processing circuit may control one or more fans to adjusta position of the drone in accordance with a return motion response.Adjusting the position of the drone may include adjusting a position ofthe drone to return to a drone port in accordance with a return motionresponse. For example, a processing circuit may control one or more fansto adjust a position of the drone to cause the drone to fly back to andland in a drone port from which it previously launched.

Upon adjusting a position of the drone, processing may end.

In this description herein of the various embodiments, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which isshown by way of illustration, various embodiments of the disclosure thatmay be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized. A person of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing disclosure will appreciate that the various aspects describedherein may be embodied as a computerized method, system, device, orapparatus utilizing one or more computer program products. Accordingly,various aspects of the computerized methods, systems, devices, andapparatuses may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, various aspects of the computerizedmethods, systems, devices, and apparatuses may take the form of acomputer program product stored by one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media having computer-readable program code,or instructions, embodied in or on the storage media. Any suitablecomputer readable storage media may be utilized, including hard disks,CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or anycombination thereof. In addition, various signals representing data orevents as described herein may be transferred between a source and adestination in the form of electromagnetic waves traveling throughsignal-conducting media such as metal wires, optical fibers, and/orwireless transmission media (e.g., air and/or space). It is noted thatvarious connections between elements are discussed in the followingdescription. It is noted that these connections are general and, unlessspecified otherwise, may be direct or indirect, wired or wireless, andthat the specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

Aspects of the invention have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may beperformed in other than the recited order, and that one or more stepsillustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of the invention.

1. A chassis for a security vehicle, the chassis comprising: one or morelights; one or more radios; one or more antennas; wherein the chassis ismounted on top of the vehicle.
 2. The chassis of claim 1, comprising:one or more bays for receiving a piece of equipment; wiring between thebays for at least one of power and data; and an exterior housing.
 3. Thechassis of claim 1, including a drone port.
 4. The chassis of claim 3,comprising a window that permits passage of light from an exterior ofthe chassis to an interior of the chassis.
 5. The chassis of claim 4,wherein the window is positioned adjacent the drone port to enable acamera of a drone in the drone port to capture images of objects outsideof the chassis.
 6. The chassis of claim 4, comprising a camerapositioned proximate to the window to capture images of objects andevents around the chassis.
 7. The chassis of claim 3, wherein the droneport is positioned asymmetrically within the chassis.
 8. The chassis ofclaim 6, wherein the chassis includes a storage system configured toreceive and store the captured images of objects from the camera of thedrone.
 9. A system for providing security functions to a vehicle,comprising: a chassis configured to be mounted on top of the vehicle,the chassis including a drone port; and a drone including a camera,wherein while the drone is positioned in the drone port, the camera ofthe drone is configured to capture images of objects outside of thechassis.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the drone port includes awindow through which the camera of the drone is configured to capturethe images of objects outside of the chassis.
 11. The system of claim 9,wherein the drone port is positioned at an end of the chassis.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the end is configured to be mounted on apassenger side of the vehicle.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein thedrone is configured to receive flight data comprising indicia of anobject in the captured images to be tracked while the drone ispositioned in the drone port. 14-17. (canceled)
 18. The system of claim13, wherein the drone is configured to launch from the chassis andautomatically track the object based on the received flight data. 19.The system of claim 18, wherein automatically tracking the object basedon the received flight data includes automatically positioning the droneat a position indicated in the flight data.
 20. (canceled)
 21. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the camera of the drone is configured tocapture image data after the drone launches from the chassis and storethe image data in memory with image data including the images capturedwhile the drone is positioned in the drone port.
 22. (canceled)
 23. Thesystem of claim 9, comprising a mobile data terminal in communicationwith the drone, the mobile data terminal disposed within the vehicle andconfigured to transmit flight data to the drone while the drone ispositioned in the drone port.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The system of claim 13,wherein capturing the images comprises: processing image data comprisingthe captured images to detect the object in the image data; generatingindicia of the detected object in the image data; and outputting theindicia of the detected object from the drone. 26-36. (canceled)
 37. Amethod performed by a drone to provide security functions for a vehicle,the method comprising: capturing image data with a camera of the dronewhile the drone is positioned in a drone port of a chassis configured tobe mounted on the vehicle; receiving flight data comprising indicia ofan object in the captured image data to be tracked; launching from thechassis; and tracking the object based on the received flight data. 38.The method of claim 37, wherein the image data is captured through awindow of the drone port prior to launch. 39-59. (canceled)